Labour Research April 2003

Features: Law queries

Law queries

I have found out that I am being paid less than a female employee who is doing the same job as I am. I have approached my employer about this and have been told that I cannot claim equal pay because only women can use the law. Is this right?

Both women and men can use equal pay law if their pay is lower than that of a comparable employee of the opposite sex. Unless there are reasons unrelated to sex discrimination to explain the pay difference (for example, if the comparable employee is more senior and there are seniority increments) you will have the right to claim the same pay.

More information: LRD booklet, Winning equal pay - a trade unionist's guide