Equal Pay
Introduction
The University supports the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.
- In February 2003, we were one of the first universities to introduce an Equal Pay Policy and we have now conducted nine Equal Pay Audits. These Audits have shown that the gap between the average pay of men and the average pay of women at the University has decreased over the past year.
- The support and commitment demonstrated by the University leaves us better placed to deliver our aim of meeting the legal and ethical obligations of equal pay for work of equal value.
- The ninth Equal Pay Audit will complement our aims of fairly rewarding staff, increasing efficiency and enhancing our reputation.
Legislation
The legislative framework governing Equal Pay is the Equal Pay Act 1970. This piece of legislation has been updated several times with the most recent amendment being in 2004; an Equal Pay Act Archive is available here which details all amendments and their impact.
The Equal Pay Act (1970) came into force at the end of 1975 and its purpose was to eliminate discrimination in pay between men and women. It was amended in 1983 to include work "of equal value" and most claims are now under this part of the Act.
The Act allows an individual to claim Equal Pay with a member of the opposite sex on the grounds they are doing:
- like work
- work rated as equivalent under a job evaluation scheme
- work of equal value - in terms of demands made under such headings as effort, skill and decision making.
The 2004 amendment relates to new procedures needing to be followed in Equal value tribunal cases.
Further governmental initiatives are being undertaken in order to address the gender gap in pay in the UK workforce. Although the Equality Act 2010 does not extend to requiring employers to publicly declare their gender pay gaps, the JNCHES guidance issued to Higher Education in 2011 is to make the outcome of equal pay reviews available through publication on the institution's website. This resonates with the University's transparent approach, one which has seen us publish equal pay audits since 2003.
