EHRC Urges UK Ban on Salary History Inquiries

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has recommended that the United Kingdom grant workers a legal right to access their colleagues' pay data to combat systemic discrimination. In response to government proposals to overhaul equal pay laws, the watchdog urged lawmakers to mandate that employers respond to staff questionnaires regarding bonuses, basic pay, hours, and job evaluations within a set timeframe.

The commission also proposed a ban on employers asking job applicants about their current salaries. Chief Executive John Kirkpatrick argued that such inquiries can "embed a history of disadvantage or discrimination in future salaries." The EHRC maintains that making these measures mandatory rather than optional is necessary to meet policy aims and reduce pay gaps affecting women.

These recommendations follow data from the Office for National Statistics showing a 6.8% gender pay gap for full-time workers as of April, with higher disparities noted in the finance industry. The EHRC asserts that increased transparency will allow for the early resolution of pay disputes and reduce the number of cases reaching employment tribunals.