July-December 2015
ISSN 2050-005X (Online); 978-1514857861 (ISBN-13); 1514857863 (ISBN-10)
This article provides a fresh look at the state of UK equal pay law and provides a comprehensive overview of the current problems women face in gaining equal pay to their male comparators and a reform proposal for the UK government in order to address the problem of the UK pay gap. The article first sets out the manifest issues evidenced by equal pay statistics. Then case law is assessed that has arisen under the Equality Act 2010, composing an evaluation in relation to a) women bringing equal pay claims in the first place and b) women succeeding in their equal pay claims. The article then provides a critical analysis of reforms previously proposed by academics (and those implemented by other states), The article closes with suggestions for the best reform route for UK legislation. The value of this article is its original contribution in providing an up-to-date analysis on the status of equal pay, with a reform proposal which would suit the values of contemporary society.
Keywords: Equal Pay, Employment Law, Sex Discrimination, Equality Act 2010, Armstrong v Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Hospital Trust, Equal Pay Act 1970, ECHR.
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34. Stephen Taylor and Astra Emir, 343 (exhibit 18.3).
35. Stephen Taylor and Astra Emir, 342.
36. Honeyball and Bowers, 282.
37. Honeyball and Bowers, 283.
38. *Springboard Sunderland Trust v Robson* [1992] IRLR 61.
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40. These ideas were noted by Muriel Robinson, ‘Local Government & Equal Pay: Part 2’ (2007) 76 *Employment Law Bulletin* 3. For more work of the Equal Opportunities Commission see: Equality and Human Rights Commission Website <http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/> accessed on 21.04.14 (EOC are now part of the Equality and Human Rights Commission).
41. *O’Brien v Sim-Chem Ltd* [1980] IRLR 373 HL.
42. Honeyball and Bowers, 283.
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44. *Hovell v Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital NHS Trust* [2009] IRLR 734.
45. *Commission of the European Communities v United Kingdom* [1982] ICR 578.
46. Stephen Taylor and Astra Emir, 345.
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48. Stephen Taylor and Astra Emir, 345.
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50. Sandra Fredman, ‘Reforming equal pay laws’ (2008) 37 *Industrial Law Journal* 193.
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52. ACAS website at n.51 under ‘What are the benefits of early conciliation?’.
53. ACAS website at n.51 under ‘What are the benefits of early conciliation?’.
54. See Rubenstein ‘Equal Value update’.
55. HL Deb 05 December 1983 vol 445 cc882-90. Referenced in B.W. Napier, 41.
56. Evelyn Ellis, ‘A Welcome Victory for Equality’ (1988) 51 *The Modern Law Review* 781, 783.
57. B.W. Napier, ‘Equal Pay and Equal Value’ (1984) 43 *The Cambridge Law Journal* 40, 43.
58. B.W. Napier, 43.
59. *Hayward v Cammell Laird Shipbuilders (No.2)* [1988] 2 WLR 1134.
60. Evelyn Ellis, 782.
61. Evelyn Ellis, 783.
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64. Stephen Taylor and Astra Emir, 349.
65. Astra Emir, 190 (point 5.43).
66. *Waddington v Leicester Council for Voluntary Services* [1977] IRLR 32 as noted by Astra Emir, 190 (point 5.45).
67. *Murray v East Lothian Regional Council* [1977] CLY 972 as noted by Astra Emir, 190 (point 5.45).
68. Astra Emir, 191 (point 5.45).
69. *Christie v John. E. Haith Ltd* [2003] IRLR 670.
70. Michael Rubenstein ‘Highlights October 2003’ (2003) *Industrial Relations Law Reports* (accessed via Lexis Nexis); also cited by Honeyball and Bowers, 286.
71. *Clay Cross (Quarry Services) Ltd v Fletcher* [1978] 1 WLR 1429.
72. *Rainey v Greater Glasgow Health Board* [1987] AC 224.
73. Hazel McClean, ‘Equal Pay. The Employer’s Defence’ (1987) 46 *The Cambridge Law Journal* 224, 225.
74. *Rainey v Greater Glasgow Health Board* [1987] AC 224 Lord Denning MR at 1433.
75. Hazel McClean, 225.
76. Peter Schofield, ‘Equal Pay. What’s the difference?’ (1987) 50 *The Modern Law Review* 379, 380.
77. *Benveniste v University of Southampton* [1989] IRLR 122 CA.
78. Gerry R. Rubin, ‘Equal pay – in the same employment – genuine material factor other than sex’ (1989) *Journal of Business Law* 344.
79. Brian Napier QC, ‘Equal Pay in 2013’ (2014) 246 *Equal Opportunities Review* <http://www.eordirect.co.uk/Default.aspx?id=1195253&sq=napier,equal,pay,2013> accessed on 7 May 2014.
80. *Lawrie v Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Trust* [2003] CqLR 934.
81. Honeyball and Bowers, 289.
82. *Snoxell and Davies v Vauxhall Motors Ltd* [1977] IRLR 123 EAT.
83. Honeyball and Bowers, 290.
84. *Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council v Bainbridge* and *Surtees v Middlesbrough Borough Council* [2008] IRLR 776.
85. Honeyball and Bowers, 290.
86. Katy Dowell, Appeal Court makes landmark equal pay decision, *The Lawyer* 29th July 2008. <http://www.thelawyer.com/appeal-court-makes-landmark-equal-pay-decision/134004.article> accessed on 21 Mar 2014.
87. See Sainsbury’s Case, Stephen Taylor and Astra Emir.
88. Astra Emir, 193 (‘Burden of Proof’).
89. *Armstrong v Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust* [2006] IRLR 124.
90. Iain Steele, ‘Sex discrimination and the material factor defence under the Equal Pay Act 1970 and the Equality Act 2010’ (2010) 39 *Industrial Law Journal* 264.
91. *Case C-381/99 Brunnhofer v Bank der österreichischen Postsparkasse AG*.
92. *Brunnhofer*, para 30. Emphasis added.
93. *Equality Act 2010*, Chapter 3.
94. Equality and Human Rights Commission, *Equal Pay: Statutory Code of Practice*, 2011 <http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/EqualityAct/equalpaycode.pdf> accessed on 21 Feb 2014, pages 27–29.
95. Stephen Taylor and Astra Emir, 351.
96. Simon Deakin and Gillian S Morris, *Labour Law* (5th edn, Hart Publishing 2009), 615 (point iv).
97. Simon Deakin and Gillian S Morris, 624.
98. A Lester, *Leading Counsel’s Opinion on the Proposed Amendments to the Equal Pay Act 1970: European and Community Law* (Equal Opportunities Commission 1983), as cited by Dominic Byrne, ‘An Unequal Right to Equal Pay’ (1984) 11 *Journal of Law and Society* 247.
99. Michael Rubenstein, *Armstrong Reconsidered*, *Equal Opportunities Review*, Issue 198, March 2010.
100. *Enderby v Frenchay Health Authority* [1993] IRLR 591.
101. *Enderby*, para 19.
102. Stephen Taylor and Astra Emir, 351.
103. Iain Steele, ‘Sex discrimination and the material factor defence under the Equal Pay Act 1970 and the Equality Act 2010’ (2010) 39 *Industrial Law Journal* 264.
104. Iain Steele, ibid.
105. Iain Steele, ibid.
106. Stephen Taylor and Astra Emir, 360.
107. Darren Newman, ‘Repeal the law on equal pay’ (2012) 223 *Equal Opportunities Review* <http://www.eordirect.co.uk/Default.aspx?id=1166317&sq=UK,comparator,equal,pay> accessed on 6 Apr 2014.
108. Darren Newman, paragraph 1.
109. Darren Newman, paragraphs 7 and 8.
110. *Armstrong v Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Trust* [2006] IRLR 124.
111. Darren Newman, paragraphs 9 to 11.
112. Darren Newman, para. 12.
113. Darren Newman, para. 13.
114. Stephen Taylor and Astra Emir, 360.
115. Darren Newman, para. 13.
116. Example given by Simon Deakin and Gillian S Morris, 623 (point iv).
117. Darren Newman, para. 15.
118. Sarah Fredman, ‘Reforming Equal Pay Laws’ (2008) 37 *Industrial Law Journal* 193.
119. Pay Equity Taskforce and Departments of Justice and Human Resources Development Canada, *Pay Equity: A New Approach to a Fundamental Right* (2004) as cited by Sarah Fredman, available via <http://ywcacanada.ca/data/research_docs/00000052.pdf> accessed on 12 May 2014.
120. Sarah Fredman, ibid.
121. Stephen Taylor and Astra Emir, 357.
122. Sarah Fredman, Part 4 (point ‘A’).
123. Ibid.
124. Ibid.
125. Ibid.
126. Ibid.
127. The Swiss Body: The ‘Federal Office for Gender Equality’, see *Gender Employment Workshop*, 15. The Canadian Body: The Pay Equity Commission: <http://www.payequity.gov.on.ca/en/about/index.php> accessed on 5 May 2014.
128. Sarah Fredman, Part 4 (point ‘A’).
129. Megan Beyer, ‘Next Stop: Equal Pay Day’, *The Huffington Post* 04/03/14 <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/megan-beyer-/next-stop-no-more-equal-pay-day_b_5079489.html> accessed on 14 Apr 2014.
130. Sylvie Durrer, *Gender and Employment Workshop*, Equal pay for equal work or work of equal value: Swiss practices, <http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/research/sustain/4durrer.pdf> accessed 14.04.14.
131. Megan Beyer, ibid.
132. *Gender and Employment Workshop*, 7.
133. Megan Beyer, ibid.
134. *Gender Employment Workshop*, 19.
135. The ‘Federal Office for Gender Equality’, *Gender Employment Workshop*, 21.
N/A
LLM Research Candidate, University of Manchester School of Law.
(2015). This a (Wo)Man’s World: Reforming UK Equal Pay. Legal issues Journal, 3 (2), https://www.legalissuesjournal.com/article/03-02-13072015/
