Time Limits

Standard time limit rules on equal pay claims

Ordinarily there is no time limit on making an equal pay claim if you are still working for your employer in the same job that you believe is underpaid.

However, there is a six month time limit on bringing a claim:

• If you have left the employer who you believe has underpaid you.  Time starts to run from your last day of work.

• If you have a new job or new contract with the same employer.  Time starts to run from the last day of the old job or contract.

Note:  In order to make an equal pay claim you must first lodge a grievance.  If a time limit applies in your case you have six months to lodge this grievance.  But once your grievance has been lodged your time limit will be extended a further three months.

If you think you have passed your six month time limit or you will soon reach it, please contact Leigh Day & Co straight away on 0800 037 4045.


Factors that may affect the usual time limits

There are several positions that you might be in that can affect the standard rules.  In some of these areas the law is still not fully clear. Some of these are outlined below:

• You have a ‘disability’ (are of unsound mind) or are under 18.

• Your employer has deliberately concealed facts relevant to your case.

• You have worked for your employer with intermittent or temporary contracts.  In this case it would need to be established whether you had a ‘stable employment relationship’.

• You have had changes to your contract.

• Your employer has changed under a TUPE transfer.

• You are in the Armed Forces.