Enforcement of the gender pay gap deadlines for reporting this year (2019/20) have been suspended, the government has announced.
The decision, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, means there will be no expectation on employers to report their data, following the move by the Government Equalities Office (GEO) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
More than 3,000 employers have already reported their data via the gov.uk website this year (26% of expected reporters) and GEO said it would continue to provide support to employers in reporting their data should they wish to do so.
In a joint statement, minister for women & equalities, Liz Truss, and EHRC chair, David Isaac, said: “We recognise that employers across the country are facing unprecedented uncertainty and pressure at this time. Because of this we feel it is only right to suspend enforcement of gender pay gap reporting this year.”
Suzannah Nichol, chief executive of Build UK, said: "At this time of exceptional circumstances and great uncertainty the construction industry is working to protect its workforce and minimise the risk of spreading infection.
"We welcome this move to suspend gender pay gap enforcement action which will allow us to prioritise responding to the crisis to the best of our ability."
