Inequality and equal pay: an update for employers

A number of recent reports, including this one from Public Health England, raise concerns about inequalities caused or highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Concerns have also been raised recently that parents whose statutory family leave does not end until after 10 June 2020 (which is the cut-off date for employers to furlough employees for the first time) may face redundancy.  In response to this, the Government announced yesterday that those parents who return to work in the coming months will be eligible for the furlough scheme even after the 10 June cut-off date.  We are expecting more detail on how the furlough scheme will operate going forward on 12 June 2020.

In addition, on 29 May 2020, Acas published new guidance on equal pay to mark the 50th anniversary of equal pay law.  The new guidance can be found here and is likely to be useful for employers who are facing equal pay issues.

Bear in mind, however, that the guidance is non-statutory.  In addition, and as Acas acknowledges, this area of law is notoriously complex – we would therefore urge any employers dealing with equal pay complaints to seek legal advice.