Call for more businesses to close the gender pay gap

FIRMS are being urged to produce action plans to close the gender pay gap after research suggested only one in five has drawn any up.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it is “essential” that plans are published if a business wants to show real commitment to reducing differences in the pay of men and women.

A study of more than 400 employers indicated that only one in 10 have set themselves targets, and one in five have produced an action plan, with larger employers more likely to have an action plan in place.

Chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath said: “Earlier this year gender pay gap reporting shone a light on some of the issues women face when accessing, progressing and staying within the workplace.

“As we head towards the second year of reporting, the attention now needs to shift towards employers who must play their part in reducing the gap.

“That starts with publicly setting out how they intend to address it in their organisation.”