Overview
The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate between men and women in their pay and conditions where they are:
- doing the same or similar work
- work rated as equivalent
- or work of equal value.
The Act applies to both men and women but does not give anyone the right to claim equal pay with a person of the same sex - any comparison must be with a person of the opposite sex. In Northern Ireland the Equal Pay Act 1970 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 provides for equal pay between men and women.
If you believe you are being paid differently to a colleague due to another 'protected characteristic' (including race or sexual orientation), please see our advice on discrimination. For example, there is an exception within the Equality Act 2010 which allows employers to implement pay structures for younger workers on the basis of the National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999.