Responding to the call from the outgoing Chief Executive of Equal Opportunities Commission, Jenny Watson, that employers should be able to use a period of grace during which they would not be subject to equal pay claims to complete equal pay reviews, the Managing Director for the Local Government Employers, Jan Parkinson said:
Councils want equal pay within their workforce and are working hard to achieve it.
The result of the No-Win, No-Fee lawyers' action is that tribunals are now swamped with cases and legal uncertainty means most councils cannot introduce new pay systems.
It is pleasing that the Equal Opportunities Commission has recognised that equal pay is a systemic problem that can only be solved by comprehensive agreement. There needs to be a period of grace for employers to carry out pay reviews. It is vital though, that the period of grace should apply to all councils struggling to complete current pay reviews.
It would be grossly unfair if private employers were able to benefit from an idea borne from the bitter experience of local government and the NHS.
Councils urge period of grace needed for equal pay reviews
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