22-11-2018

A new Equal Pay Advice Service has been launched to support those on low incomes who believe they are experiencing pay discrimination and who do not have access to legal advice, enabling them to resolve the situation with their employer.

The new service was unveiled alongside findings from the Fawcett Society, which showed that one in three men (35 per cent) and women (33 per cent) in work do not know that it is illegal to pay women and men differently for equal work.

The research also found that six out of 10 workers say they would be uncomfortable asking a colleague how much they earn, while half of those surveyed thought their managers would respond negatively to more openness, indicating they think it is difficult to challenge pay equality.

Sam Smethers, Fawcett Society chief executive, said: “In workplaces all over the country, pay discrimination is able to thrive and is more common than people realise because of a culture of pay secrecy which persists. People do not know their basic rights and do not know what their colleagues earn.”

The Equal Pay Advice Service is funded by an Equal Pay Fund that was started thanks to the generous donation of backdated pay from former BBC China Editor Carrie Gracie, who fought her own equal pay case.

“The fight for equal pay often pits a lone woman against a very powerful employer. Without the support of other BBC Women and without great legal advice, I would have struggled to get through my own equal pay ordeal,” said Gracie.

“Many women in other workplaces have since told me about their feelings of loneliness and helplessness in confronting pay discrimination. I feel particularly concerned about low paid women who may not be able to afford legal advice, and I hope support from our new Equal Pay Advice Service will help give them the confidence to pursue their rights.”

The Fawcett Society’s research also found that 60 per cent of workers are unaware that they have a legal right to have conversations with colleagues about pay if they think they are being discriminated against because of their gender. In addition, 31 per cent believe their contracts ban people from talking to each other about pay, despite this being legally unenforceable.


"I have chosen The Learn Centre both for my own knowledge base and in-house training courses for my teams for many years. I have always been extremely impressed with the content of the courses, people engagement and the positive feedback from my staff."

Ann Chesher
Head of Employee Services at 1Life (Management Solutions)

View on Linkedin

Have a question?

Leave us your details or call us on 01798 861111

Ensure you're up to date and compliant

Are you happy for us to email you from time to time with payroll related information, legislation and updates?

Yes please, keep me up to date