Mace & Jones: Equal pay legislation ‘a banana skin’ for employers

Published: 3rd October 2008

A leading North West law firm is urging employers, especially those in the public sector, that 'thorough and careful planning' is vital to effectively manage the implementation of equal pay.

Mace & Jones said that equal pay claims are one of the biggest employment issues facing the public sector in decades.

Mace & Jones head of employment law Martin Edwards said:

'It is striking that employment tribunal statistics for last year show that there were many more equal pay claims 58, 513 than unfair dismissal claims 43,231. Not so long ago, that would have been unthinkable. But 'no win, no fee' claim companies have changed the landscape and the potential cost in compensation is huge.

"Recent cases make it clear that the courts will not be sympathetic to employers who fail to address their legal duty to achieve equal pay. The process needs to be planned rigorously and handled with the utmost care. Handled badly it is a banana skin. It is a highly sensitive area and there should be proper communication with staff to ensure that the process is fully explained, and why their pay is going up or down. Giving an explanation as to why the changes are happening and how they will help safeguard employment in the future is vital and will assist in managing staff morale."