Businesses urged to publish gender pay gap figures as deadline approaches

04 Apr 2018

The government has urged businesses in the voluntary and private sectors to publish their gender pay gap data ahead of the deadline of midnight on 4 April.

Around 9,000 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 2018. Public sector employers were required to publish their figures by 30 March 2018.

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

Data recently published by the Government Equalities Office suggested that 77% of businesses who have published their gender pay gap data pay male employees more than female employees. 8% reported that they have ‘no gender pay gap at all’.  

Commenting on the gender pay gap reporting requirements, Carolyn Fairbairn, Director General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said: ‘Gender pay gap reporting is an opportunity for businesses to drive change in their workplaces.

‘But businesses can’t close the gap by themselves. Many of the causes of the gender pay gap lie outside of the workplace, and will require a partnership between companies and the government if we are to deliver long-term, lasting change.’