RMI warns employers on new equal pay code

The revised Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) Code of Practice on Equal Pay came into force on 1 December 2003. It clarifies what employers have to do to comply with equal pay law, and as a result can be used as evidence in sex discrimination and equal pay cases.

Nick Jones, RMI human resources director commented: “Businesses need to make sure their pay systems are objectively fair. It is not acceptable to place a lower value on certain jobs based solely on the gender of staff members.”

He continues: “In larger companies there may be an established job evaluation system in place, but small companies without such structures must show that that pay rates are demonstrably fair. The new code also addresses previous concerns about tension between equal pay and data protection laws. Concerns about confidentiality cannot now be used to block the progress of an equal pay claim.”