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Q&A: Gender equality duty — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-04-07 08:13

It's the biggest change in sex equality legislation for 30 years and on Friday, 6 April the Gender Equality Duty came into effect in the UK, designed to pro-actively tackle polices and practices that look gender neutral, but can contribute to greater inequality. Here we explain how it may affect you.

Should regrading be sought before an equal pay claim is raised? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-04-06 11:19

I feel my job needs regrading. Should I do this before looking into equal pay?

"Power to the People" as public sector workers demand the money councils owe them — by Matthew Roddan — last modified 2007-04-06 10:20

From the 6th April all public sector employees are entitled to demand that their employer carries out an Equal Pay assessment and pay the back pay owed to them. It is time for the lowest paid to stand up and demand their rights.

Solicitors are pressing equal pay claimant to accept lower offer — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-04-05 09:06

If an employer owes you £15,000 but offer to settle for £5,000 and you refuse, is it likely that when you go to a tribunal if you win the tribunal would offer you even less? I am being threatened by my ex-employer's solicitor that I will be awarded less in court if I don't accept their offer. How can this be true surely if I'm owed £15,000 and I win my case then that is what I should get I can't believe I can be penalised for pursuing what is legally mine?

Left job in 2005 - can I still claim for equal pay? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-04-05 09:02

I was employed by Birmingham Cityserve as dinner lady and cleaner from approx 1997-2005. Unfortunately I have now left and I would like to know if I can still make a claim for equal pay compensation. I WAS NOT made aware of any compensation up until about 3 months ago from an old work colleague. Since then I have tried with my old employer but have not had much luck. I don't think it's fair that my employers did not inform me and I seem to be running into a brick wall

Same job, same sex - female - different pay — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-04-05 08:51

I have longer service, am older and getting paid 42p per hour less than other lower paid staff members in same office. She came back from maternity leave and didn't want to return to her old job so at her request she was put in our office to do same job as me and other colleagues. Is this illegal? my boss told my team leader he had increased my salary 2 years ago - he lied!!!!!

Good Friday is Equal Pay Day 2007... — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-04-05 08:48

because a British woman, on average, has to work three months and one week longer to earn the same pay as a man earns in a year. 37 years after the introduction of the Equal Pay Act, time's up to meet council equal pay commitments on Good Friday: Equal Pay Day 2007

Councils renege on deal to pay poorest workers thousands in backpay — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-03-29 08:08

Thousands of low paid, mostly female local government workers, are missing out several thousands of pounds in back-pay local councils admit they owe them because local government bosses have failed to implement equal pay deals on time.

Left employment a year ago: can I still claim? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-03-29 04:46

I left my employment with a local authority one year ago. I have now learned that former colleagues of mine have received equal pay awards. Can I claim?

Is equal pay legislation applicable across different regions? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-03-29 04:42

I work for a nationwide company in the South West of England. I have learned that people performing my role in other company offices, in particular in London, are paid more than me. Do I have an equal pay claim?

Does equal pay legislation only apply to women? If I am a male, can I claim too? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-03-29 04:37

I am a man and work as a care assistant. A job evaluation survey has been undertaken by my Council employers that shows that people employed in other jobs evaluated at the same level as mine have received far greater pay. Most of my colleagues are women and they are now pursuing equal pay claims on the basis that they are the victims of sexual discrimination. Can I bring such a claim even though I am a man?

Equal pay claim: do I have to accept the union settlement if it is less than I am due? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-03-29 04:03

Along with my colleagues, I have an established Equal Pay claim which has been accepted by my employers. My Union has advised me of the settlement offer, which is £4000 but this is a lot less than my real entitlement. Do I have to accept this?

From April, treating different genders equally becomes a public authority duty — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-03-28 08:47

The Gender Equality Duty [GED] is a legal requirement from April 2007 requiring all public authorities to promote gender equality and eliminate sex discrimination.

Equal pay for council workers: whose bill is it anyway? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-03-28 06:54

How an agreement to implement a common pay scale on council jobs and harmonise conditions for full- and part-time workers has escalated into a £5bn bill for local authorities.

Claiming compensation under equal pay agreements: time limits for claimants — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-03-08 07:46

Equal pay law allows you to claim loss of earnings and interest up to a maximum six years past - or five in Scotland. There are strict time procedures on how you should file your claim which you should meet. But even if you have been told you have missed out equalpaylawyer.co.uk may be able to bring a case on your behalf.

Equal Pay: "compensation culture gone mad" or lawyers trying to bring valid claims for some of our poorest paid workers — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-03-06 07:56

A Labour MP is campaigning on a "compensation culture gone mad" ticket complaining that lawyers acting for some of the poorest paid people in the country are seeking to establish their rights to equal pay. The Local Government Employers meantime are seeking to persuade those employees to forego three years money due to them because they failed to plan for an agreement they reached 10 years ago.

Claiming compensation for equal pay: a solution for former local government workers whose claims may have timed out — by Matthew Roddan — last modified 2007-03-06 07:19

The Equal Pay Act 1970 established the right of all female workers to be paid an equivalent salary to that of their male counterparts but in local government practices continued which conspired to deny many local government workers their rights. Many workers, mostly but not exclusively women, have been systematically denied their rights to equal pay with other workers doing comparable jobs and some claims have run out of time. Here equalpaylawyer.co.uk suggests a possible solution.

What is meant by 'equal pay' and how is it being achieved? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2007-03-04 09:54

The process of achieving equal pay in local authorities was supposed to have been completed by March 31st 2007 but two thirds of authorities are likely to fail to meet their obligations.