Care home owner faces equal pay claim


Female carers are taking their employer to the High Court over an equal pay claim.


The GMB general, on behalf of 87 members, has instructed lawyers Leigh Day to launch proceedings against Avery Homes, which runs 45 care homes across Britain.


The union says carers — overwhelmingly women — are on less favourable conditions to those employed by Avery in male-dominated roles, such as caretakers. It hopes to repeat the successes it has had in forcing local councils to pay the female carers they employ the same rate as men.


Leigh Day’s Chris Benson said carers provide “an invaluable service looking after vulnerable individuals who most need our support and assistance".


He added: “It is only right those carrying out such work are properly rewarded and not underpaid because of their gender.”


GMB national officer for the care sector Justin Bowden said paying female staff less than men amounts to “discrimination and it is against the law".


www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/high-court-claims-against-avery-homes


www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-e5fc-Carers-take-Avery-Homes-to-court-in-equal-pay-push