ACS

Acas, the employment relations service, has launched a new guide to help make businesses less vulnerable to equal pay claims through the use of job evaluation. The guide is released on the day that the UN reports that women in the UK are earning 83% of men’s earnings.

Acas’s guide, considers the benefits and risks of undertaking job evaluation, and explains how a job evaluation risk analysis should be established and implemented. Job evaluation, which determines the relative importance of a number of different jobs whilst avoiding prejudice or discrimination, can be a complex process. Acas’s guide will help managers and employee representatives decide whether introducing a job evaluation structure is feasible and appropriate for their business.

Benefits of job evaluation:
• Cornerstone of a fair and equitable pay system
• Facilitates the introduction of new or changed jobs
• Offers a defense against Employment Tribunal claims of pay discrimination
• Supports recruitment and retention
• Prevents stereotyping of jobs and roles.

Frank Blair, Director Acas Scotland, who has developed the guide, commented: "Employers sometimes find it hard to justify their grading and pay systems. Putting in place a job evaluation scheme can remedy this and can also help prevent equality and HR-related problems from arising."

"However, Acas is urging businesses to be fully prepared before embarking on introducing job evaluation. A good number of the difficulties encountered by organisations will be avoided by adequate preparation. The booklet gives advice on the level of preparation required, which if undertaken properly, will create strong business benefits."

The guide can be downloaded for free at http://www.acas.org.uk