Equal Pay Act: 40 years on

Four decades after equal pay legislation was introduced female workers are still paid 16.4% less on average than their male counterparts, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. In certain sectors such as finance, it is considerably higher. 

Equalities Human Rights Commissioner Jean Irvine said: “Employers need pay systems that are both transparent and fair. While transparency is not enough of itself to reduce the gap it does provide clarity; it is difficult, if not impossible, to resolve a problem that cannot be seen. 

"Most employers should be able to measure their own pay gap, particularly those with combined payroll and human resource systems. They should also be able to take steps to resolve it including offering flexible parental leave. The Commission will shortly be issuing guidance to help businesses measure and address pay gaps.  However, we have made it clear that when the voluntary approach fails, we will use our enforcement powers to address any persistent and significant problems.”

The Equality and Human Rights Commission sounded the warning on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, introduced on May 29, 1970.

Trades Union Congress assistant general secretary Kay Carberry said: "Forty years on from the Equal Pay Act women still earn around 20 per cent less than men. "The new Government says they'll promote equal pay. We need radical action, from changing the way work is organised to equal pay reviews across all workplaces. Women cannot wait another generation for justice."

The coalition Government has pledged to promote equal pay in the workplace, such as extending the right to request flexible working for all staff. Previously only parents with children aged 16 or under could legally ask their employer for flexible hours.

Unions urged ministers to speed up the changes. General secretary of the TUC Brendan Barber said: “While extending the right to request flexible working and promoting a system of flexible parental leave could bring positive changes to UK workplaces, the millions of employees set to benefit will not want to wait years before they get this new right.”

He added: “Increasing the number of women on the boards of listed companies is a worthy objective but this will need a fundamental shift in boardroom attitudes where men's club rules still operate.”

A new code governing the operation of boardrooms was published today, demanding that diversity and gender should be considered when new company directors are recruited.