Employers with more than 250 members of staff have just days left before they have to report their gender pay gap.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission warned that firms are entering the “last chance saloon” to stay on top of their new business responsibilities.
Public sector organisations have until 30 March to report their gender pay gap, while businesses and charities have until 4 April.
Failure to report on time can result in legal action being taken. According to the commission, non-compliant businesses will receive letters on or after 9 April explaining that they have 28 days to comply before an investigation takes place and an unlawful act notice is issued.
Further failure to comply with this request will “ultimately lead to an unlimited fine decided by the courts”.
Rebecca Hilsenrath, Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “Employers with 250 or more staff still have time to report their gender pay gap. The clock is ticking and with just 10 days to go, those who haven’t reported really are entering the last chance saloon. This is not optional; it is the law and we will be fully enforcing against all companies that do not report.
“This legislation is in place to bring about better gender equality in the workplace and any employer not complying needs to ask themselves tough questions, re-think their priorities, be prepared for serious reputational damage, and be ready to face a very unhappy workforce.”
What an employer must include:
An employer must publish six calculations, as well as a written narrative and suggestions, explaining their:
- average gender pay gap as a mean average
- average gender pay gap as a median average
- average bonus gender pay gap as a mean average
- average bonus gender pay gap as a median average
- proportion of males receiving a bonus payment and proportion of females receiving a bonus payment
- proportion of males and females when divided into four groups ordered from lowest to highest pay.
