People in the same role or carrying out work of the same value are entitled to receive equal pay. This is not always the case, and very often, male and female staff see discrepancies in their salaries. This is despite clear legislation to prevent gender discrimination.
1-What is equal pay?
As a worker, you are entitled to the same remuneration as another person carrying out work of equal value or a person in a broadly similar role. The imbalance can often be a gender issue and there have been many instances wherein women have received a lower salary than men for carrying out the same work. Many such claims have been pursued through the courts successfully.
2-What does the term comparator mean when it comes to an equal pay claim?
When employee A wishes to make a claim to receive equal pay, they are seeking remuneration that is equal to that of employee B. Employee B is referred to as the comparator. There may be one or more comparators in a claim, and there may be different grounds explored, for example, similar work and a role of equal value.
3-How to find out if you are being paid fairly
There are several ways to discover if you are receiving an equal salary. You may decide to ask your colleagues outright or check a job advertisement for a role of similar value at your firm. It is also possible to receive this information from the human resources department.
4-Do you try to resolve the issue informally first
If you believe you are being treated unfairly you can attempt to resolve the issue informally and internally. The company may argue that the role you are claiming is equal to yours, is not, in fact, equal. However, if you have a strong case with clear reasoning and supporting data, you may be able to resolve the matter at this stage. According to The Guardian Canada Soccer says it has offered equal pay in response to player protests. Otherwise, a successful tribunal claim may include compensation and the repayment of any lost earnings.
There are time limits on a claim and this is important to bear in mind. Six months is the limit for bringing a claim to an Employment Tribunal, starting from the date on which the employment ended. A claim in a civil court is acceptable within a period of six years.
5-What is an equal pay grievance letter?
You can send your employer a letter outlining your formal grievance. You should keep this brief and unemotional. You can go online and view an equal pay grievance letter example if you are entering into a pay dispute. However, professionals can draft an equal pay grievance letter example for you.
6-Can a company pay a part-time female less than a full-time male for the same work?
Companies must treat part-time staff similarly to those in full-time roles. If the same job is being performed, then the remuneration and benefits must be the same.
