Large employers are lagging behind on equal pay reviews

Large employers have failed to meet the Equal Opportunities Commission's (EOC) target for carrying out equal pay reviews, although small and medium-sized employers may reach their targets.

Although more than one in five employers (22%) have now checked or are checking that their pay system is fair to women, an EOC report reveals that more than half (57%) still have no plans for an equal pay review.

In 2001 the EOC set targets for 50% of large employers to have carried out equal pay reviews by 2003, and for 25% of other employers to have done so by the end of 2005. However, by November 2003, only 15% of large employers had carried out a pay review and 10% were in the process of conducting one. In contrast, 16% of small and medium-sized employers had completed reviews and 15% were still carrying them out.

EOC Chair Julie Mellor called for further government action to ensure equal pay for women. She said: "If employers continue to resist the need to carry out a pay review we may have to conclude that further legislation is the only way to guarantee a fair deal for women at work."