Part-time Workers and Equal Pay

The gender pay gap is even greater for those who work part-time.

In the past, not only salary, but also other benefits have been less favourable for part-time workers.  As women make up the vast majority of part-time workers this has meant that many women have been discriminated against under equal pay law.

Any less favourable treatment of part-time workers is likely to be a breach of equal pay legislation.

As a part-time worker you may have a claim if any of the following apply to you:

• You are paid a lower hourly rate than a full-time co-worker.

• You have not been allowed access to pension schemes, bonuses or shift pay.

• You have not been given the same pro-rata benefits such as holidays, shift pay or sick pay.  (Pro-rata: the proportion of what a full-time worker receives related to number of hours worked)

Note: part-time workers are also covered by the Part-time Workers Regulations.  We will be able to advise if this legislation also applies in your case.

The law and process of making a claim is the same in all other respects as it is for full-time workers.  For more information on whether you have a claim, please see Do I have an Equal Pay Claim and for information on lodging a claim see How to make an Equal Pay Claim.

If you believe that you may have an equal pay claim please contact Leigh Day & Co for professional advice on 0800 037 4045.