Pay gap reporting


The first investigations of employers who failed to file gender pay gap reports will begin in June, says a letter from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to the government.


Up to 1,500 companies missed the 4 April deadline to file reports. But after the equality watchdog wrote to employers giving them 28 days to comply or face action, more than 400 subsequently reported their data or confirmed that they do not come under the regulations. 


The letter states that the next stage for private sector employers will be an investigation under section 20 of the Equality Act 2006, to establish whether an employer has committed an unlawful act.


If so, the EHRC will issue an unlawful act notice. If employers do not comply with the notice, the EHRC can apply for a court order requiring them to do so. Breach of the order is punishable upon conviction with an unlimited fine.