Step forward for mum pay discrimination

Women who take time off from work to raise children and find their pay has been affected can take heart from the result of a landmark case heard in the Court of Appeal.

The Court agreed with mother Christine Wilson, an Inspector with the Health and Safety Executive, that her employer’s pay agreement was unfair by linking pay to length of service for up to ten years.

Three male colleagues on the same level as Mrs Wilson were paid more than her for doing equivalent work.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission argued that linking pay to length of service often disadvantages women who take time out of work to raise children.

Director of Legal Enforcement at the Commission Susie Uppal said: “Women should not be disadvantaged in the workforce because of they take time out for maternity leave or to meet caring responsibilities.  Linking pay to length of service often does them a disservice. Direct discrimination, long hours, and a lack of flexible working options are some of the biggest barriers to achieving gender inequality in the workplace.”