Equality and Human Rights Commission

Equal Pay Day 2010

2 November 2010 is Equal Pay Day and to mark it The Fawcett Society, UNISON, the TUC and the Commission have together produced the report, Equal Pay - Where Next?, showcasing new thinking from various partner agencies on how we can close the gender pay gap. It contains key recommendations for government and others on tackling an inequality that has persisted despite having over 40 years of Equal Pay legislation.

Fawcett, UNISON and the TUC have issued a joint press release and letter to the broadsheets on how to close the gender pay gap. We will post links to these later today

The Commission has also issued a press release to mark Equal Pay Day 2010 

40th anniversary conference

In May 2010 it was 40 years since the Equal Pay Act was passed and in that time we have seen many achievements. The Commission co-hosted an event in partnership with Fawcett, the TUC and UNISON to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the introduction of women’s right to equal pay.

This collaborative event offered a unique space for key equalities stakeholders to reshape the debate around equal pay and propose practical, progressive action to tackle the gender pay gap and bring historic legislation to fruition in the 21st century. Participants worked to shape key recommendations on the themes of how work is organised; law and legislation; the business case for equal pay; and the role of culture and attitudes in closing the pay gap, and challenge a panel of leading figures including the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities) to respond.

Speakers included: Lynne Featherstone MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities);  Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON; Ceri Goddard, Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society; Kay Carberry CBE, Assistant General Secretary of the TUC; Dr Jean Irvine OBE, Business Commissioner, EHRC; Karon Monaghan QC of Matrix Chambers.

At the conference there were open sessions on the following issues:

• The business case – what is the benefit to businesses?
• The way work is organised – how work place culture influences equal pay
• The law – what does the current legislation say and how can it be shaped in the future?
• Changing hearts and minds – how can we challenge workplace attitudes and gender stereotyping?

Think pieces on these issues are available to download from the related documents panel on the right.

For further information on equal pay and the Commission's work round equal pay, see Equal pay resources.