Equal Pay

Q        I have two female members of staff who do the same job as each other but are paid different rates of pay.  Could the lower paid female put in an equal pay claim on this basis?

A        No, the employee would need to identify a male comparator in order to claim equal pay.  However, be careful if there are any differences between these two employees, for example, their ages, as they may be able to claim that the reason for the pay differential was discriminatory on that basis.

Q        How long can equal pay claims be backdated?

A        Six years from the date of the commencement of proceedings for the equal pay claim.