Legal Updates

Equalities bill sparks pay-audit fear

Date:  11 Aug 2008

Fears are growing over the new equalities bill, with business groups concerned that it will include provisions requiring private sector pay audits and impose other duties on employers, it has been reported.

According to the Times, business groups will pressure the government to ensure the forthcoming anti-discrimination legislation does not prove overly burdensome upon entrepreneurs.

Plans for pay audits were not included in Harriet Harman''s original bill outline unveiled last month, but promises regarding pay equality were made to trade unions at Labour''s Warwick policy forum.

The Warwick agreement stated: "We will work with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), unions and others to gather evidence of the effectiveness of promoting best practice on equal pay audits."

As a result, it is feared that such measures will be detailed in rules and guidance attached to the bill as it makes its way through the houses.

Head of employment policy at the CBI, Susan Anderson, said her organisation was concerned about a "harmonising upwards of regulations".

The equalities bill is expected to be finalised by the autumn.

Lynne Burns is an employment law specialist working at Vizards Tweedie and dealing with all aspects of employment law

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