Canada recently released a Pay Equity Stakeholder Consultation Report summarizing feedback from over 40 stakeholders, including key employer, employee and advocacy stakeholders. Equal pay for work of equal value : Canada's experience . Pay equity between men and women, and fair treatment of all workers in the workplace, regardless of gender, is critical for creating growth and a thriving middle class. The more complex the work and / or the more value it creates for the organization, then the more it should be paid. Authors: Gunderson, Morley: Other Persons: Robb, Roberta Edgecombe (contributor) Published in: Advances in industrial and labor relations. Morley Gunderson and Roberta Edgecombe Robb. Proactive pay equity legislation is one of the many measures our Government is putting forward to help reduce the gender wage gap, which will strengthen the Canadian middle class and help the many women working hard to join it.”, – The Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, “The Government of Canada reaffirms that equal pay for work of equal value is a human right. This is often, but not exclusively, a gender issue. This means someone must not get less pay compared to someone who is both: the opposite sex. It is most commonly used in the context of sexual discrimination, in relation to the gender pay gap. The Government of Canada thanks the members of the Special Committee on Pay Equity for their hard work on this very important issue. Answer: E Diff: 3 Type: MC Page Ref: 45 D) The principle "equal pay for equal work" makes it illegal to pay nurses and fire fighters differently if their jobs are deemed to be of equal worth to the employer. Canada signed the International Labour Organization’s Convention 100, the Equal Remuneration Convention, which aims to ensure equal remuneration for work of equal value regardless of gender. Women’s wages shouldn’t come at a discount. The new pay equity system will be robust and responsive to the needs of all types of federally regulated workplaces, from the public service to small businesses. You will not receive a reply. In the USA, this Act was signed into law in 1963 to prevent the pay gap existing against the female folk. This includes co-workers who work for the same employer whose role is different, but their work is rated as equivalent, or is of equal value. As a result, there’s a lifetime of income inequality between men and women and more women are retiring into poverty. Equal pay for work of equal value is a human right. The term Equal Pay for Equal Work is a concept of the rights of individuals in the workplace that enables them to receive equal benefits for the same task and same position they occupy in the job. International Equal Pay Day, celebrated for the first time this 18 September, represents the longstanding efforts towards the achievement of equal pay for work of equal value. Year of publication: 1991. The gender wage gap in the federal public service, calculated as the difference between the average hourly wages of all men and all women, was 9.5 percent in 2014–2015. These labour laws impacted business owners with an increase to the amount of pay an employee must receive. The right to gender equality and to be free from gender-based discrimination is guaranteed by section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Government will embark on meaningful consultations and careful study of the issue, and table proactive pay equity legislation for federally regulated workplaces by the end of 2018, which will require employers to regularly and proactively review their compensation systems, identify any gender-based disparities, and take measures to address them. In claims relating to ‘equal pay for work of equal value’ on arbitrary ground, the onus is on the employer to prove that any pay differentiation is fair based on factors as outlined in the gazette draft. By law, men and women must get equal pay for doing 'equal work' (work that equal pay law classes as the same, similar, equivalent or of equal value). Section 11 of the CHRA stipulates that establishing or maintaining a difference in wages between male and female employees employed in the same establishment and performing work of equal value is a discriminatory practice. Justin Trudeau has yet to come through on his promise to advance pay equity. Some countries have moved faster than others in addressing … Equal pay for equal work is the concept of labour rights that individuals in the same workplace be given equal pay. As one strand within the multiplicity of measures required to impede the reproduction of gender pay gaps, its strengths lie in an expanded notion of equality and capacity to challenge gendered norms embedded in wage-setting practices. Canadian women are done waiting. doing equal work for the same employer. "Pay equity" is an Orwellian label (who can be against equity?) According to the Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada, in 2015, for every dollar earned by men, women earn about 87 cents in the federal private sector and Crown corporations. “Having a gender wage gap in Canada in 2016 is unacceptable. The purpose of the essay is to evaluate the principle and experience of equal pay for work of equal value at the Canadian federal level, to discover whether broader application is warranted. In February 2016, in the House of Commons, the Government signaled its intention to develop a new direction for pay equity that deals with the issue in a balanced and responsible way. “Having a gender wage gap in Canada in 2016 is unacceptable. To promote and protect the right of women to be full participants in the economic, social and democratic life of our country is in the best interest of all Canadians. Women are sometimes paid … That’s why the NDP is fighting for equal pay for work of equal value for all women in Canada. Go through the employees on your spreadsheet and identify which of them are doing the same or broadly similar jobs ('like work' or work of equal value). - Bingley : Emerald, ISSN 0742-6186, ZDB-ID 798081-4. Pay equity is a human right protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA). Scott Brison Hon. To do an equal pay audit, you’ll need to: check if there are people doing 'equal work' (work that equal pay law classes as the same, similar, equivalent or of equal value) carry out job evaluations, where needed, to measure the value of different jobs and identify any that count as 'equal work' – find out about job evaluations from EHRC Fact Sheet - Compensation of women and men in the Public Service, Rates of pay for the Public Service of Canada, Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board. On June 9, 2016, the Special Committee tabled its report titled It’s Time to Act. Decide which of your employees are doing equal work. Use our Equal Value Estimator Tool to help you identify which employees are doing equal work. An equal pay for work of equal value clause insulates women from the wage inequity inherent in pink ghetto jobs, or jobs that are underpaid by virtue of being predominantly female. The Government will deliver pay equity reform, drawing upon the recommendations of the Special Committee, and engaging with experts and stakeholders. Legislation on equal pay for work of equal value was enhanced by the publication of the Code of Good Practice on Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value in June of this year. Patricia A. Hajdu Hon. Fair pay means paying for the work that you need done. The principle of equal pay for work of equal value has radical potential but uneven application and impact. Pay Equity Equal Pay for Equal Work; Pay equity compares the value and pay of different jobs, such as nurse and electrician. E) Every jurisdiction in Canada has legislation incorporating the principle of equal pay for equal work. MaryAnn Mihychuk Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Status of Women Canada Employment and Social Development Canada Society and Culture Persons Law Labour Information and Communications Government and Politics Education and Training Economics and Industry. On the other hand, “pay equity” is the idea that male-dominated and female-dominated occupations of comparable value must be paid the same if they are within the same employer. The Convention concerning Equal Remuneration for Men and Women Workers for Work of Equal Value, or Equal Remuneration Convention is the 100th International Labour Organization Convention and the principal one aimed at equal remuneration for work of equal value for men and women. EQUAL PAY FOR WORK OF EQUAL VALUE Jamaica Gleaner- 2017-03-08- INT’L WOMEN’S DAY FEATURE- WORLDWIDE, WOMEN only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by men for work of equal value. for what was originally called "comparable worth" in the U.S. or "equal pay for work of equal value" in Canada. Reform of the existing complaint-based system for pay equity is critically important to this Government. The Equality Act 2010 gives both women and men the right to equal pay for equal work, with women and men being legally entitled to be paid at the same rate for like work, work rated as equivalent, and work of equal value. Staff in different locations doing different work could compare their pay This appeal arose from equal pay claims brought against Asda by about 7,000 employees. For enquiries, contact us. While anti-discrimination legislation ensures that women receive equal pay for equal work – that is, in the same or very similar positions – Alberta laws do not require that women receive equal pay for work of equal worth – for doing work that has the same or comparable value to that done by men. Here you'll find information on equal pay for equal value, equal pay audits, comparable worth, equal pay law and case law. A Special Committee on Pay Equity was formed on February 17, 2016, with a mandate to conduct hearings on the matter of pay equity and to propose a plan to adopt a proactive federal pay equity regime, both legislative and otherwise. Useful things to consider include: You will not receive a reply. Equal pay for equal work is the concept of labour rights that individuals in the same workplace be given equal pay. Employees or their bargaining agents may file complaints with the Canadian Human Rights Commission if they believe that their right to pay equity has been violated. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT a delegation from BPW Canada requests a meeting with Gordon Fairweather, Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, and Rita Cadieux, Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission to express our concern regarding their recent decisions under the federal equal pay for work of equal value legislation. While this idea has always been enshrined in the Canadian Human Rights Act, it has not … A possible alternative, equal pay for work of equal value, is the subject matter of this paper. The Government’s work to address gender inequality in Canada and around the world does not stop with pay equity. Federal Pay Equality Commissioner for the Canadian Human Rights Commission, Karen Jensen, explains Canada’s approach to equal pay for work of equal value using a gender-neutral, non-discriminatory, job evaluation tool. Canada’s Liberal government has announced plans to bring in “equal pay for work of equal value” legislation by 2018. As the largest federally regulated employer, the Treasury Board intends to lead by example.”, – The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, Report of the Special Committee on Pay Equity: It’s Time to Act (PDF version). Section 11 of the CHRA stipulates that establishing or maintaining a difference in wages between male and female employees … This tool assess skills, effort, responsibility and working conditions to determine and compare the value of jobs. Delivering real change on these issues is an ongoing effort that will require continued hard work across government. For enquiries, contact us. The Equality Act 2010 provides a legal right to equal pay between women and men for equal work. Only people (both men and women) in jobs done traditionally by women can complain that their work is … Equal pay is your entitlement to the same wage as someone doing work of equal value to you, the same or broadly similar work as you or work rated as “of equivalent value” by a job evaluation study. Our government believes strongly in the principle of equal pay for work of equal value and the fair treatment of all workers in the workplace, and we are committed to taking actions to help close the gender wage gap, support the economic advancement of women, and reduce income inequality.” – The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women “Pay equity is a human right. Pay equity is a human right protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA). Equal pay compares the pay of similar jobs. Legislation for federally regulated workplaces to be tabled by the end of 2018, October 5, 2016 Gatineau, Quebec Government of Canada. The Government of Canada responded on October 5, 2016, reaffirming its commitment to develop proactive pay equity reform. in Canada (after Quebec, the federal sector, and Manitoba) to implement an equal pay for work of equal value policy. It would apply to almost 900,000 Canadian employees, including not only federal employees, but also anyone working in federally regulated sectors like banks and airlines. It is most commonly used in the context of sexual discrimination, in relation to the gender pay gap.Equal pay relates to the full range of payments and benefits, including basic pay, non-salary payments, bonuses and allowances. Equal pay relates to the full range of payments and benefits, including basic pay, non-salary payments, bonuses and allowances. In Canada, everyone is entitled to receive equal pay for work of equal value. Canada signed the International Labour Organization’s Convention 100, the Equal Remuneration Convention, which aims to ensure equal remuneration for work of equal value regardless of gender. For Employment and Social Development Canada: Carlene VariyanDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Honourable MaryAnn MihychukMinister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labourcarlene.variyan@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca819-654-5611, Media Relations OfficeEmployment and Social Development Canada819-994-5559media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.caFollow us on Twitter, Jean-Luc FerlandPress SecretaryOffice of the President of the Treasury Board 613-369-3163, Media RelationsTreasury Board of Canada Secretariat613-369-3170TTY 613-369-9371Follow us on Twitter: @TBS_Canada, Matt PascuzzoPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Status of Women613-291-5561, Nanci-Jean WaughDirector General, Communications and Public AffairsStatus of Women Canada819-420-6810, Hon. As stated above, equal pay for equal work is a form of pay equality. Put simply, equal pay for work of equal value means that pay should be in direct proportion to the size of the job (as measured by job evaluation) in any given organization. Our government believes strongly in the principle of equal pay for work of equal value and the fair treatment of all workers in the workplace, and we are committed to taking actions to help close the gender wage gap, support the economic advancement of women, and reduce income inequality.”, – The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women, “Pay equity is a human right. As part of Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, Ontario set new rules that mandate Equal Pay For Equal Work, becoming the first province in Canada to do so. Those who participated in the report broadly supported the principle of equal pay for work of equal value. This applied to employers and temporary help agencies in Ontario. 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