Narrowing the Gender Gap
In this article we discuss the new anti-discrimination legislation.
The Equality Bill
The Equality Bill, published on 27 April 2009, sets
out new provisions to strengthen anti-discrimination
legislation, extend the use of positive action and narrow
the pay gap between male and female employees.
It will replace nine laws and more than 100 other
measures with one single Act to strengthen equality
law. The overriding aim is to make it easier for
employers and staff to understand their responsibilities
to each other.
From the employers’ point of view, these are some of
the key points as the Bill goes through Parliament.
Banning secrecy clauses
Clauses in employment contracts that prevent
employees from discussing their salaries will become
unenforceable. Work colleagues will be able to
compare their pay. If an employer takes action against
an employee for comparing pay, the employee
will have recourse to an employment tribunal. This
measure is designed to enable women to challenge
their employers if they discover they are earning less
than their male colleagues. Men will be protected
from victimisation if they disclose their pay details to
women.