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Women should be able to see male colleagues’ pay, says charity | Women should be able to see male colleagues’ pay, says charity |
(32 minutes later) | |
Women should have the right to know what their male colleagues are being paid if they suspect pay discrimination, a gender equality charity has said. | Women should have the right to know what their male colleagues are being paid if they suspect pay discrimination, a gender equality charity has said. |
The Fawcett Society is calling for a change in the law to try to cut down on instances of unequal pay. | The Fawcett Society is calling for a change in the law to try to cut down on instances of unequal pay. |
But men can help by simply telling female colleagues what they earn, the charity added. | But men can help by simply telling female colleagues what they earn, the charity added. |
The call comes as Labour pledges to close the gender pay gap by 2030. | The call comes as Labour pledges to close the gender pay gap by 2030. |
Fawcett Society chief executive Sam Smethers said: "Pay secrecy means women cannot know if they are being paid equally and fairly. | Fawcett Society chief executive Sam Smethers said: "Pay secrecy means women cannot know if they are being paid equally and fairly. |
"Even if they do suspect a man is earning more it is almost impossible to do anything about it. This is why we are calling for a change in the law." | "Even if they do suspect a man is earning more it is almost impossible to do anything about it. This is why we are calling for a change in the law." |
She said that women need an enforceable "right to know" what their colleagues earn so that they can challenge unequal pay. | She said that women need an enforceable "right to know" what their colleagues earn so that they can challenge unequal pay. |
"Men can help by simply telling their female colleagues what they earn. It really is that simple," Ms Smethers added. | "Men can help by simply telling their female colleagues what they earn. It really is that simple," Ms Smethers added. |
Shanti Kelemen, investor director at Brown Shipley, told BBC Radio 4's Programme that it should be "all or nothing". | |
"I just think giving women the right isn't the answer. Why not minorities, old people, young people?" | |
"If I was going to implement something like this, use a system like Sweden were anyone can look at anyone's tax return. The catch is that everyone will know you've looked." | |
Under UK law, men and women are supposed to be paid the same for doing comparable work. | Under UK law, men and women are supposed to be paid the same for doing comparable work. |
The call from the Fawcett Society comes after the Labour Party pledged to close the gender pay gap by 2030 if it wins the election. | The call from the Fawcett Society comes after the Labour Party pledged to close the gender pay gap by 2030 if it wins the election. |
The gender pay gap is the percentage difference between average hourly earnings for men and women. | The gender pay gap is the percentage difference between average hourly earnings for men and women. |
'I feel betrayed and disgusted' | 'I feel betrayed and disgusted' |
Kay Collins had a job with a catering firm, but her work-life started to unravel after a chance conversation with a male colleague in September 2015. | Kay Collins had a job with a catering firm, but her work-life started to unravel after a chance conversation with a male colleague in September 2015. |
She found out that he was earning £6,000 more per year than her for doing exactly the same role as a chef. | She found out that he was earning £6,000 more per year than her for doing exactly the same role as a chef. |
"I was shaking, I was so angry," she said. | "I was shaking, I was so angry," she said. |
She was older and more experienced than her male colleague, and so raised a grievance with her female line manager. | She was older and more experienced than her male colleague, and so raised a grievance with her female line manager. |
However, her manager said the man had more responsibilities - although he himself said he didn't. | However, her manager said the man had more responsibilities - although he himself said he didn't. |
He ended up resigning, and Kay lost her job, although she won a settlement at a tribunal after a process that took many years. | He ended up resigning, and Kay lost her job, although she won a settlement at a tribunal after a process that took many years. |
"It was an ordeal, that's what it was," she says. "I lost two stone over a couple of years [because of the stress]." | "It was an ordeal, that's what it was," she says. "I lost two stone over a couple of years [because of the stress]." |
However, the settlement was not enough to cover her £15,000 court costs. | However, the settlement was not enough to cover her £15,000 court costs. |
Kay, who is 60 next year, felt "down and betrayed" afterwards, and is now a full-time carer for her husband William, who has a heart condition, and is still having to work from home to pay their mortgage. | Kay, who is 60 next year, felt "down and betrayed" afterwards, and is now a full-time carer for her husband William, who has a heart condition, and is still having to work from home to pay their mortgage. |
"I feel disgusted and betrayed." | "I feel disgusted and betrayed." |