What are the major requirements of equal pay law?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 21, 2026
By law, men and women must get equal pay for doing 'equal work' (work that equal pay law classes as the same, similar, equivalent or of equal value). This means someone must not get less pay compared to someone who is both: the opposite sex. doing equal work for the same employer.
Is equal pay a legal requirement?
As set out in the Equality Act 2010, men and women in the same employment performing equal work must receive equal pay, unless any difference in pay can be justified. It is the law and employers must follow it.
What does the Equality Act require employers to do?
An employer's responsibilities
It's your duty to not discriminate on the grounds of any of the protected characteristics included the legislation, whether that's through paying different wages for the same job based on gender, or refusing to hire someone because of their ethnic background or religion.
What does the Equal Pay Act 1970 require employers to do?
The Equal Pay Act 1970 gives an individual a right to the same contractual pay and benefits as a person of the opposite sex in the same employment, where the man and the woman are doing: like work; or. work rated as equivalent under an analytical job evaluation study; or. work that is proved to be of equal value.
What is the Equal Pay Act UK?
The Equality Act 2010 gives both women and men the right to equal pay for equal work, with women and men being legally entitled to be paid at the same rate for like work, work rated as equivalent, and work of equal value.
38 related questions foundWhat Does Equality Act 2010 protect?
What is the Equality Act? The Equality Act is a law which protects you from discrimination. It means that discrimination or unfair treatment on the basis of certain personal characteristics, such as age, is now against the law in almost all cases.
How do you ensure equal pay?
Here are five ways you can ensure equal pay on your team:
- Prevent salary disparities before making new hires. ...
- Review employee compensation on a regular basis. ...
- Separate compensation reviews from performance reviews. ...
- Disclose salary ranges for different positions and levels. ...
- Advocate for your people.
What must an employee prove in an equal pay for work of equal value claim?
The principle of equal pay applies to work that is the same, substantially the same or of equal value (referred to as work of equal value), when compared to an appropriate actual comparator of the same employer.
What is the employment Act 2002 summary?
The Act seeks to encourage more individual employment disputes to be settled within the workplace, without recourse to an employment tribunal. It introduces statutory minimum internal disciplinary and grievance procedures for all organisations that employ staff, and measures to promote their use.
Why is the Equal Pay Act important?
The Equal Pay Act of 1963, amending the Fair Labor Standards Act, protects against wage discrimination based on sex. The Equal Pay Act (EPA) protects both men and women.
What are the legal requirements relating to equality and diversity?
The duty requires them to have due regard to the need to: eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation under the Equality Act 2010; advance equality of opportunity; foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
What are the 9 protected characteristics of the Equality Act?
Under the Equality Act, there are nine protected characteristics:
- age.
- disability.
- gender reassignment.
- marriage and civil partnership.
- pregnancy and maternity.
- race.
- religion or belief.
- sex.
What are employers responsibilities for equality and diversity?
Employers have an obligation to provide employees with a safe work environment free from discrimination, harassment and intimidation. Without the proper training and management, a diverse workplace can become a breeding ground for behavior and actions that rise to the level of unlawful and unfair employment practices.
What does unequal pay mean?
If a woman works the same hours, performs the same tasks, and is required to meet the same goals as her male counterpart, she is entitled to equal pay. When women are paid less because of their gender, it is a form of sex discrimination and is illegal. 1
What is equal pay discrimination?
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 says sex-based pay discrimination is illegal, meaning your employer must pay you the same amount as one or more coworkers of “the opposite sex” who work in the same establishment and do equal work, under similar working conditions.
Is equal pay for equal work a fundamental right?
"Equal pay for equal work" is not a fundamental right vested in any employee, though it is a constitutional goal to be achieved by the Government, the Supreme Court remarked in a judgment delivered on Thursday (27 January 2022)The bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and Bela M.
Is the Employment Act 2002 still valid?
Changes to legislation: Employment Act 2002 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 09 May 2022.
What is the employment Act 2008 summary?
An Act to make provision about the procedure for the resolution of employment disputes; to provide for compensation for financial loss in cases of unlawful underpayment or non-payment; to make provision about the enforcement of minimum wages legislation and the application of the national minimum wage to Cadet Force ...
What does the Employment Relations Act 2004 cover?
The Employment Relations Act 2004 (c 24) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which amended UK law regarding trade union membership and industrial action. The Act also enabled the UK government to make funds available to trade unions and federations of trade unions to modernise their operations.
Which acts should be considered to cover equal pay and disability?
The Employment Equity Act (EEA) – section 2(1) – prohibits unfair discrimination against individuals who suffer from disabilities.
Can 2 employees doing the same job be paid differently?
The Equal Pay Act requires that men and women in the same workplace be given equal pay for equal work. The jobs need not be identical, but they must be substantially equal. Job content (not job titles) determines whether jobs are substantially equal.
Which act gives equal wages for the same work?
The equal pay is governed under the Equality Act of 2010 which gives a right to equal pay between women and men for equal work. This covers individuals in the same employment, and includes equality in pay and all other contractual terms.
How do you solve unequal pay?
Strategies for narrowing the gender pay gap
- Raise the minimum wage. ...
- Increase pay transparency. ...
- Unionize workplaces. ...
- Implement fair scheduling practices. ...
- Expand paid family and medical leave. ...
- Increase access to child care. ...
- Stop basing employee pay on salary history. ...
- Improve work-life balance.
How do you approach pay inequality?
Steps to take to address gender inequality
- Do your research. Know what others are getting paid in the market similar to your position and save examples that can be used during discussions. ...
- Bring it to your employer's attention. ...
- Don't play the blame game. ...
- If needed, escalate the situation. ...
- Be willing to leave.
What are the 4 types of discrimination?
The 4 types of Discrimination
- Direct discrimination.
- Indirect discrimination.
- Harassment.
- Victimisation.