Government announces consultation to close gender pay gap

The battle for equal pay has been a long and arduous process, and one that is still very much ongoing in terms of securing equality for women.

Last week the first real signs of progress was instigated as the Government has announced plans that will force large firms and companies to publicly publish the wage of their employees, highlighting the difference in pay between genders.

It is hoped the enforcement of pay transparency will encourage firms to increase the rate of women’s wages with the aim of eliminating the gender pay gap within a generation. Despite the gender pay gap being at its lowest since the Office for National Statistics began in 1997 there is still significant progress to be made in terms of gender equality within the workplace.

Their argument is that it is in fact the lack of female stereotypes which prevent women from pursuing top tier careers causing the fundamental pay gap we have today.

The consultation into the gender pay gap is due to close on 6 September 2015, with the regulations anticipated to be formally announced early in 2016. As of yet the full details of the legislation have yet to be finalised regarding the how much additional information employers will be required to provide and the frequency of which. Where statistics do reveal a gender pay gap inherent within a company’s structural culture the employer may be required to provide an explanation along with a plan of action to target the issue.