equal pay

[lyndsayp]

i work the same hours and shift, and do the same job as two other people at my work but they both get paid more than me (one is male). can i take this further?

any advice would be great. thanks

[Buenchico]

I can't see that there's anyting you can do about it.

Unless there's a statutory pay scale (as in teaching) or an employer agrees to negotiate with a union (or staff association) for a common pay package, each contract between an employer and an employee is entirely separate.

As long as there's no breach of discrimination laws (or of minimum wage regulations), an employer is perfectly entitled to pay different employees at different rates. If you've tried, without success, to ask for a pay rise, all you can do is to look for another employer who pays more.

Chris

[BuckyKat]

I wouldn't just accept it, if you believe there is no fair reason why your colleagues - particularly the male - receive a higher wage you could ask your employer to explain in writing why there is a pay difference, service may make a difference but it shouldn't be a significant one. You are entitled - in principle - to receive the wage for the same work or at least be on a demonstrable track to achieve the same rate..

[dr john]

New legislation came into force this week to prevent discrimination on the grounds of age. If your co-workers are much older (or younger) than you are, this may be illegal. Speak to someone at the Citizens' Advice Bureau.

[Daave]

or it may be based on experiance, qualificateions or lenght of time with the company..

if so theres not a great deal you can do,

what is the nature of the buisness?

[lyndsayp]

it is a food manufacturer. i have the same experience and degrees as the other two, if not more experience (6 1/2 years in industry) and i started 9 months before the male.

thanks for all the answers