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Equal pay claims on the increase

18 August 2008

Employment law specialist comments on increase in equal pay claims

The recent publication of ACAS' annual report has revealed that equal pay claims are the most common claim referred to ACAS for conciliation.

ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) is the organisation designed to assist parties in their attempts to resolve matters without the need for the Employment Tribunal.

Their recent report shows that the total number of claims that they received increased from 180,420 in 2006-07 to 227,782 in 2007-08. The biggest increase in any particular type of claim was in equal pay claims which increased 113% from 27,497 to 58,513, which has made it the most common claim.

Liam Kenealy of Ashton Morton Slack believes that this increase is due to a number of factors. "More people are becoming aware of their right to be treated exactly the same as their colleagues and that includes being paid the same. They are refusing to allow employers to brush them off when they are confronted over why one member of staff is on a higher salary despite doing the same job. Female workers are now receiving more support than ever in their attempts to receive equal treatment in the workplace and this support is only going to increase with the recent Equalities Bill.

The NHS and local councils are currently faced with a huge number of equal pay claims which could potentially cost millions but the floodgates could open even further following the recent ruling that pay protection schemes could be unlawful if they cause unequal treatment of men and women.

It can be a daunting thought telling your employer that you are entitled to more money but provided you follow the correct procedure, a formal grievance (as set out in your company handbook or contract of employment), there is legislation to assist and protect you."

If you believe that you are being paid less than a colleague who is carrying out the same work as you and believe that there is no reasonable justification for the difference then contact our employment law specialists on 0114 228 6235, and we will arrange an initial meeting.