Are you paying all employees fairly?

Ethnicity Pay Gap Day, observed annually on January 8th, highlights the wage disparities experienced by minority ethnic employees in the UK.  

The pay gap reflects systemic inequalities in some workplaces, where ethnic minority employees earn less than their white colleagues, despite doing equivalent jobs. Research by the ONS showed that, in 2022, Black, African, Caribbean, or Black British employees earned a median gross hourly pay of £13.53, compared to £14.35 for white employees. 

Unfair pay affects employees’ morale, career prospects and progression, economic standing and lifestyle – and there is no excuse for it. Addressing the ethnicity pay gap, as with all pay gaps, is essential to foster a fair and inclusive workplace and beyond, where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed. 

While ethnicity pay gap reporting is not yet mandatory, the UK government has issued extensive guidance to help employers voluntarily report and address pay disparities.  The aim is to encourage transparency and accountability, ultimately leading to meaningful change in workplace equality. 

At FAIRER, we know – based on myriad pieces of evidence – that organisations succeed when people are treated fairly throughout the entire employee lifecycle, which naturally includes pay. However, the first step on the journey is the recruitment process – this sets the tone for the whole employee experience and it is crucial to get it right. 

You can find out how fair, inclusive recruitment boosts your EVP at our free webinar led by FAIRER’s Peter MacDonald Hall. This will explore how prioritising diversity and equity in hiring processes not only enriches company culture but also drives innovation and business success.