Transparency of pay poses no threat to privacy

There is not a privacy problem with the proposed new Pay Equality Bill, says Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, Dr Judy McGregor.

Dr McGregor released the draft bill designed to help narrow the gender pay gap in the weekend.

“What the bill is suggesting is that you and I have the right to ask our employer whether we are being paid equally. The bill does not propose that I can ask about someone else’s pay and be told what everyone else in an organisation is being paid if it is not relevant to my pay.”

Under the bill the employee will keep a record showing that all employees are paid equally and employers will record any differences in the remuneration of men and women.

The bill proposes a ban on confidentiality agreements that prevent employees from disclosing information that they could use in equal pay cases if they think they’ve been discriminated against..

If an employee is not receiving equal pay after they’ve asked the employer, they can complain to a Labour Inspector in the Department of Labour who can commence action to get the issue sorted out.

“Greater transparency will help progress equal pay in New Zealand. It does not mean that privacy is threatened.”

Dr McGregor said the favourable public reaction to the proposed pay equality legislation was “fantastic” and she hoped that the government or other political party will sponsor it into legislation. “Many, many employers are paying equally so the legislation will not impact on them, but where there is a problem and men or women are not being paid equally we think transparency will help.”

Read the report Tracking Equality at Work.

ENDS

Summary report (PDF)
Full report (PDF)