The average pay gap between women's and men's wages in Scotland is 15%. For black and minority ethnic women, women with disabilities and geographically isolated women the pay gap is even wider.
Part-time working also substantially affects females, as a result of the low value generally placed on many part-time jobs.
Employers must give men and women equal treatment in the terms and conditions of their employment contract including pay if they are employed on:
- 'like work' i.e. work that is the same or of a broadly similar nature;
- work rated as equivalent under a job evaluation study; or
- work found to be of equal value, under such headings as effort, skill and decision making.
Individuals who make a complaint to an employment tribunal under the Equal Pay Act 1970, may claim arrears of renumeration (which includes sick pay, holiday pay, bonuses, overtime etc as well as 'pay') for a period of up to five years in Scotland (six across the rest of the UK) before the date of their tribunal application.
The Part-Time Workers Regulations give part-time male and female workers a right to the same pay and terms and condtions of employment (contractual and non-contractual) on a pro-rata basis as full-time workers, with a similar contract, doing the same or broadly similar work, unless any difference can be objectively justified.
To ensure equal pay employers should carry out a review of their pay structures including all benefits and remedy any unjustifiable pay differences between male and female staff.
Links
- ACAS
- The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) provides helps resolve disputes between employers and employees.
- Close the Gap
- Partnership project giving advice and information on equal pay.
- Government Equality Office
- Takes on responsibility for the Government’s overall strategy and priorities on equality issues.
- Equality and Human Rights Commission
- An independent body established to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of sex or marital status.
- Scottish Trades Union Congress
- Co-ordinates, develops and articulates the views and policies of the trade union movement in Scotland.
- Low Pay Commission
- An independent statutory non departmental public body set up under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 to advise the Government about the National Minimum Wage.
