Equal pay

Men and women are entitled to equal pay when they’re doing the same work. This is a legal right, won through many years of campaigning.

The law on equal pay applies to all workers, including those in part-time, casual or temporary work. And it extends to all areas of wages and salaries, as well as to pensions.

You are entitled to equal pay if you’re doing the same work as a person of the opposite sex or, in some cases, if you’re doing work that’s rated as equivalent.

To make an equal pay claim, you must find a person of the opposite sex – called a ‘comparator’ – who’s being paid more than you for equivalent work.

If you think you’re being paid unequally, you can take action to enforce your rights. But equal pay claims are complex and every case is different, so you should seek advice from your union rep or a qualified advisor as soon as possible.

Very often, the best way to solve problems is to join with co-workers – ideally through a union – and try to reach agreement with your employers on how to make the workplace fairer for everyone.