Tackling your Equal Pay Audit

P r o j e c t HR REWARD SPECILIALSTS Tackling your Equal Pay Audit Project HR working jointly with you P r o j e c t HR REWARD SPECIALISTS Page 1 Contents 1 Introduction 2 The business case for equal pay 3 Equal Opportunities Commission – equal pay review kit 4 Typical project stages 5 Data specification 6 Project plan 7 Contact details P r o j e c t HR REWARD SPECIALISTS Page 2 1. Introduction When the Equal Pay Act was introduced in the 1970’s the ‘pay gap’ between the pay of men and women was around 30%. After thirty years of the Equal Pay Act the pay gap has reduced to just 18%. Equal pay in local government is now ‘centre stage’. The Single Status Agreement required councils to review their pay structures to ensure they were fair, non-discriminatory and that they comply with equal pay principles. Since then there have been a number of other drivers encouraging councils to undertake an equal pay review. These include: • Pay Commission report; • National Pay Settlement 2004; • Local Government - equality standard; • EOC equal pay toolkit • High profile litigation (e.g. Stefan Cross) 2. The Business Case for Equal Pay The business case put forward by the EOC states that if you provide equal pay, you will: • Attract and retain the best people; • Reduce recruitment costs; • Improve morale, motivation and productivity; • ...