Employers with 250 or more members of staff are required to report their gender pay gap. These regulations state that public sector bodies must report their data annually by 30 March and private sector employers should do so by 4 April. These deadlines have been extended by six months due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and to support businesses during these challenging times.
The EHRC encourages employers who can to report their gender pay gap data on time and to demonstrate the steps they are taking to reduce long-term pay gaps through detailed plans.
Employers should ensure that by 5 October 2021, their gender pay gap reports are submitted as the EHRC has the power to investigate employers that fail to report their gender pay gap data and this could lead to unlimited fines or court action.
Employers should be mindful that even during the pandemic, their staff handbooks and policies in place are in line with gender equality laws and reflect that staff are paid equally, despite their gender. This may require a review of the staff payroll at all levels and to ensure that any concerns from staff are addressed and any action plans are carried out if required.