[WiLT] Are you underpaid because you are a woman? Free Information Evening

[WiL Admin]

Are you underpaid because you are a woman? Free Information Evening

Your employer may owe you up to 6 years in back pay if:
* Male colleagues are earning a higher salary for the same job or
* You are paid low wages due to your type of job or working part-time
or
* You do not receive bonuses or benefits like men in other jobs.

If this could be you, this leaflet and our web site can provide you
with information to help you determine whether you have an equal pay
case.

Alternatively, you could attend our free information evening where we
will be giving general advice.

Free Information Evening
* Crossroads Women's Centre, 230a Kentish Town Road, London NW5
(entrance on Caversham Road)
* 7th December 2006 at 6pm

What does the law say?

For 30 years laws have been in place to ensure women and men doing the
same jobs, or jobs at the same grade are paid the same.

Equal pay laws also cover wages, bonuses, overtime, holiday pay, sick
pay and pensions. Many employers ignore these laws and still pay women
less than men.

What can I claim?

If an employer is paying you unlawfully you could be entitled to a pay
rise and up to 6 years back pay.

Who can claim?

The courts have ruled that jobs mainly done by women can be compared
with similar jobs mainly carried out by men.

The courts have also said that women in these jobs are entitled to the
same pay as the men who are presently paid a higher salary.

If I get paid the same hourly rate can I still claim for equal pay?

Many jobs traditionally carried out by men have bonus schemes whereas
jobs mainly performed by women rarely do. Equal pay laws allow women
to claim bonuses that were previously only given to men.

An example of unlawful bonuses

In one case cleaners, school meals staff & lunchtime supervisors
(mainly women) succeeded in getting equal pay when compared to road
workers who were men. All were paid at the same grade but the road
workers were given a bonus of up to 50% on top of their basic pay.

This was unlawful and the women were awarded a bonus plus bonus back
payments for up to six years.

I work part time - can equal pay laws help me?

Yes they can.

The laws do cover part time workers (who are mainly women) who are
often paid less pro-rota then men who are working full-time.

Will my employer tell me I am entitled to more pay?

Employers do not usually tell men and women there are differences in
their pay. Many have never carried out a review of their pay systems
and so may be unaware that they are acting unlawfully.

Other employers may be aware that their pay systems are unfair but
they rarely offer underpaid employees the money that they are legally
entitled to.

How can we help you?

We will be happy to talk to you and your colleagues to assess if you
have an equal pay claim and what you can expect in terms of an
outcome.

We can then provide you with any support you may require to discuss
the issue with your employer and help you to complete the equal pay
questionnaire.

If you are not offered your lawful entitlement, we can assist you and
your colleagues with a legal case against your employer.

Jobs Comparison Table

The table below shows only some of the jobs that the courts have said
can be compared for equal pay. In these cases, people doing the first
job (a) have claimed the same pay as those doing the second job (b).

(a) Traditionally Women's Jobs (and typical pay)
(b) Traditionally Men's Jobs (and typical pay)

(a) Domestic £17,963
(b) Road Sweeper £25,000

(a) Cook £5.91 per hour
(b) Joiner From £10 per hour

(a) Speech Therapist £16,828
(b) Pharmacist £18,733

(a) Clerical Post £7-8 an hour
(b) Warehouse post £9-10 per hour

(a) Nursery Nurse To £17,000
(b) Waste Technician To £25,000

Equal Pay laws can be applicable to any job - care assistants,
checkout staff, bank cashiers, dinner ladies, cleaners or classroom
support workers, so it is important that you seek advice to understand
what other jobs you can be compared against.

What should I do next?

For further information you can visit the Support Equal Pay web site
for more information on equal pay, or to register your details
http://www.supportequalpay.co.uk

For free initial advice and support send us an email with your details
to: supportequalpay at leighday.co.uk

Alternatively, call us for a free consultation on: 0800 037 4045.

Or write to us at:
Leigh Day & Co Solicitors, Priory House, St John's Lane, London, EC1M
4LB
http://www.leighday.co.uk

Posted on WiLT blog at
http://www.freecharity.org.uk/~womeninlondon/?p=184