Gender pay gap action ‘should be mandatory’

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.

Larger employers were more likely to have an action plan in place, said the EHRC.

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, starting with publicly setting out how they intend to address it.

“Specific and time-bound action plans can do more than just identify the barriers holding women back in the workplace, they can help to create an environment where female employees can flourish, as well as demonstrate to employees, customers and shareholders a commitment to improving working practices.

“We’d like to see them go further and are calling for the Government to make the publication of action plans mandatory so that reporting can drive meaningful change.”