Member Article

Gender pay audits increase regulatory burden says EEF

EEF is warning the government against proposed plans in introduce gender pay audits, which could undermine efforts to reduce the burden of regulation.

The manufacturers organisation believes that as well as adding an unnecessary burden on businesses; it will also reduce rather than increase transparency on gender pay differences. The proposals will also go against the grain of recent government initiatives to encourage voluntary reporting of differences in pay by gender.

Commenting, Tony Sarginson of EEF, the manufacturers’’ organisation in the North East, said: “North East employers will draw a line in the sand on plans for gender pay audits, which will do little to increase pay transparency in the private sector and are likely to have the opposite effect.

“At a time when the government is committed to reducing the burden of regulation, business is asking why this measure is needed and why the government is not taking proper account of the costs that it will impose on employers.”

However, EEF has expressed support for thr Modern Workplaces consultation, which aims to achieve a balance on flexible working and parental leave, but has also called for some proposals to be modified.

“Flexible working is already widespread in manufacturing here in the North East as we need to respond rapidly to changes in markets and customer needs as well as employees’ desire for greater flexibility in how they work.

“We believe further regulation is not needed but the government has at least tried to keep the new measures as simple as possible.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .