Survey finds awareness of gender pay gap reporting requirements is 'low'

01 Apr 2019

A survey carried out by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has suggested that awareness of the gender pay gap reporting requirements is 'low'.

The survey of 940 business leaders revealed that only 37% were aware that their business published gender pay gap data. A further 12% stated that their firm does not have an action plan in place to tackle their gender pay gap.

The deadline for large businesses to publish their gender pay gap data is midnight on 4 April. Businesses with 250 employees or more are required by law to publish their gender pay gap figures on their website. Firms must also report their data to the government via its gender pay gap reporting service.

Voluntary and private sector employers with 250 employees or more must publish their figures by midnight on 4 April 2019. Public sector employers were required to publish their figures by 30 March 2019.

Businesses who fail to comply with the requirements will face 'unlimited fines' and enforcement action from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

'Despite all the talk, there's still too little action in the workplace to close the gender pay gap,' said Ann Francke, Chief Executive of the CMI.

'It's time for transparency with teeth, including mandatory action plans and progress reports, in line with the UK governance code, as well as consequences for those organisations that don't comply.'