When employees are engaged in "like work", or work found to be of equal value in terms of effort, skill or decision making they should receive equal pay, irrespective of whether they are a man or a woman. The Equality Act 2010 is the latest legislation to enforce such provisions. Equal pay covers all aspects of pay and conditions such as basic pay and overtime.
Employees who feel that they may not receive equal pay can write to their employer seeking information about the basis upon which their pay is calculated and asking for information which may help them determine that equal pay is not being received. It should also be noted that even after leaving employment workers can make claims for equal pay up to 6 years after leaving their job. The employer can in certain circumstances outline that there is a difference in pay between men and women that is due to a genuine factor and this could be used as a defence to an equal pay claim.
