Majority of employees in favour of pay gap reporting

The majority of employees in the UK think that ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting is a good for employees, according to the latest research study to be published.

This study was produced by Scope and People Like Us. It saw the organisation speak to 2,000 employees from across the country about plans to make this pay gap reporting mandatory. The results show that the majority are in favour, in both cases. When it comes to pay gaps for workers with disabilities, 77% of employees think that companies should be forced to disclose them. For pay gaps involving ethnicity, 70% support mandatory reporting.

What makes these findings relevant right now is the Equality (Race and Disability) Bill introduced by the government. That recently underwent a consultation process, and the government is now weighing up its response. If the bill becomes law, companies will be legally obliged to disclose data concerning disability and ethnicity pay gaps.

The fact that so many employees support the idea is something that UK companies should bear in mind. In total, 73% of them told the study that they thought companies should address pay disparities.

Dealing with this issue before it becomes mandatory could therefore help companies with retention and recruitment. Coming up with policies and implementing them is the work of HR – either internal or outsourced HR services in Northampton.

Tom Heys of Lewis Silkin told Personnel Today that:

“This polling shows what many employers already recognise, that transparency matters.”

He then went on to add that companies need more clarity from the government.