Ethnicity Pay Gap Day will return on 8 January 2022 in a bid to create fairer workplaces; and garner more support to close the Ethnicity Pay Gap, confirmed the organiser.
Although the much-awaited debate on mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting finally took place last month, it failed to produce the necessary and much-needed action required to close the gaps. “There has been a debate in Parliament and the House of Lords, but unfortunately the sense of urgency to make Ethnicity Pay Gap reporting mandatory has been lost on many. We cannot stand still and wait for government to decide. We must take action,” stressed Dianne Greyson, Founder of #EthnicityPayGap campaign and Ethnicity Pay Gap Day.
In response to a petition calling for new laws to close the gaps, MPs in the parliamentary debate highlighted that unless ethnicity pay gap reporting was made mandatory, businesses would struggle to make the progress needed to close pay gaps. However, the debate concluded that measuring ethnic minority pay gaps is complex. Campaigners and employers are still waiting on a report from the government following the debate and consultation. The government is also being urged to set out better guidance for employers.
CREATING FAIRER WORKPLACES
Along with trade bodies and organisations such as the TUC, EHRC and CBI, the UK’s CIPD has also called for mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting by 2023; to create ‘fairer workplaces’. However, only 13 FTSE 100 companies voluntarily report their ethnicity pay gaps in the absence of legislation, as reported. In the absence of much-needed guidelines and legislation from the Government, the UK’s CIPD has published guidance; to help employers measure and report their ethnicity pay gaps.
Campaigners are also urging employers and recruiters to take part in the day. Greyson, also Director of Equilibrium Mediation Consulting, is advising companies “not to wait for Government legislation to do the right thing”. Greyson, who launched the #EthnicityPayGap campaign three years ago to push the government to take action on mandatory pay gap reporting, also launched the first Ethnicity Pay Gap Day this year (on 8th January 2021) to promote a call to action, as reported. “For change to happen, we must all play a part,” pointed out Greyson. She urges individuals and businesses to “join the campaign and make the Ethnicity Pay Gap a thing of the past”.
TIME FOR TOUGH ACTION
Participating in the day will support the efforts of the #EthnicityPayGap campaign and raise awareness around the issue. According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), most minority ethnic groups continue to earn less than their White colleagues. ONS’ latest statistics reveal that there is 23.8% ethnicity pay gap in London, 12.7% in Yorkshire & Humberside and 10.3% in Scotland, as reported.
“Surprisingly many people don’t realise there is a gap, nor how big it actually is,” pointed out Greyson. However, she hopes the campaign will change that. “It’s a day not only to raise awareness about the issue nationally; but also for people and organisations to come together in solidarity to urge the Government to make Ethnicity Pay Gap Reporting mandatory,” she added.
HOW ORGANISATIONS CAN HELP
HOW INDIVIDUALS CAN GET INVOLVED
Click here for more information on how to get involved.
Only 13 FTSE firms currently disclose their ethnicity pay gaps, according to CIPD’s latest research. Click here to read more.
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