As experts in pay and reward, 3R strategy recommends all employers conduct an equal pay audit as this delivers a sound basis for employers to both reward their staff and defend any claims of bias. Getting pay right is a legal requirement – however, it is also one of the best ways to drive staff motivation and engagement.
Getting pay and reward wrong, particularly where equal pay issues arise, can see businesses hit the headlines for the wrong reasons.
3R Strategy Reward consultant, Rameez Kaleem, gave a statement to Employer News after a report of an alleged new equal pay row emerged yesterday at the BBC. A female candidate had raised equality as an issue because her fellow male candidate had been offered £12k more for the same role, although according to the report, the male candidate brought more experience to the role.
Rameez explains:
“The BBC has not always got equal pay right and this was highlighted by the very public resignation of Carrie Grace, which also saw the broadcaster paying back pay.
“However, it is also unfair to ignore the experience and additional skills an individual candidate brings to the role. Equal pay does not mean everyone in a similar job should be paid exactly the same salary regardless of their skills, experience and contribution.
“Here, we only have a news report and not all the facts, however this does highlight how important it is for organisations to get pay right and assess any equal pay risks.
“Once a widely reported issue surrounding unfair pay arises, subsequent allegations will hit the headlines even where there is little evidence to support a claim of bias.”