News: Contract Law
Equality law training: Council bonus scheme found to be discriminatory
16 April 2009
Equality law training has been highlighted by a judgement branding the bonus scheme of a local authority in the north-east sexist.
Sunderland city council's initiative, which rewarded men working in male-dominated fields such as rubbish collecting and street cleaning, while ignoring traditional female roles, was found to be discriminatory.
It is believed that the decision will affect up to 150 women and result in thousands of pounds in payouts, highlighting the importance of equality law training.
Paul Doran, the Stefan Cross Solicitors lawyer who represented the claimants, said: "This is a massive victory for the women who have fought long and hard to uphold the simple principle for equal pay for work of equal value."
He added that the council has been using the scheme to pay men in roles such as gardening up to 50 per cent more for no other reason than their gender.
Recent advice from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has emphasised the importance of equality training in the workplace by calling on employers to monitor their policies in this area.
