New analysis shows ethnicity pay gap may not be known until 2075
New analysis by Business in the Community (BITC), The Prince’s Responsible Business Network, has found that it could take until 2075 for companies currently capturing their ethnicity pay gap data to publish what their pay gap is. [1]
This new analysis, taken from the 2021 Race at Work survey also found that unless the Government makes ethnicity pay gap reporting mandatory, it will take 30 years (2051) for businesses to know what their own ethnicity pay gap is.
BITC has been calling on the Government to introduce legislation that would require employers to publish their ethnicity pay gap.
Commenting on the findings, Sandra Kerr, Race Director at BITC said,
“Our research shows we could be waiting decades for companies to know what their ethnicity pay gap is unless the government intervenes and makes reporting mandatory. Businesses want action on this, they want to play their part to create a fairer and more equal society and ethnicity pay gap reporting is a vital part of that.
“And while it’s great to see an increase in the number of businesses capturing their ethnicity pay gap data, unless mandatory reporting is introduced, we could be waiting until 2075 for the companies currently capturing this data to publish what their pay gap is.
“We must be very clear though that reporting this data isn’t going to solve everything. Once ethnicity pay gap data is published with an action plan, this doesn’t mean that the work is done, it is only the beginning. Publishing this data ensures transparency but it also helps employers ensure that action is directed to where it is needed most.”
Notes to Editor
- This analysis was done using data from the BITC 2021 Race at Work Survey – https://www.bitc.org.uk/report/race-at-work-2021-the-scorecard-report/
- Full details of the analysis is available upon request.
For further information, please contact Aoife Butler Nolan, Head of Media, Public Affairs and Policy on 07702 903 216.
About Business in the Community
Business in the community is the oldest and largest business-led membership organisation dedicated to responsible business. We were created nearly 40 years ago with HRH The Prince of Wales as our Royal Patron to champion responsible business. We inspire, engage and challenge members and we mobilise that collective strength as a force for good in society to:
- Develop a skilled and inclusive workforce for today and tomorrow.
- Build thriving communities where people want to live and work.
- Innovate to sustain and repair our planet.