News story

Employers do not have to report gender pay gaps

Enforcement of the gender pay gap reporting deadlines suspended for this year.

Government Equalities Office logo

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have today, 24 March 2020, taken the decision to suspend enforcement of the gender pay gap deadlines for this reporting year (2019 to 2020).

The decision means there will be no expectation on employers to report their data.

In a joint statement, the Minister for Women and Equalities, Liz Truss, and EHRC Chair, David Isaac, said:

We recognise that employers across the country are facing unprecedented uncertainty and pressure at this time. Because of this we feel it is only right to suspend enforcement of gender pay gap reporting this year.

Further information

In normal circumstances, the EHRC has the power to investigate employers that fail to report their gender pay gap data and could face an unlimited fine after court action.

More than 3,000 employers have already reported their data via the GOV.UK website this year (26% of expected reporters) and GEO will continue to provide support to employers in reporting their data should they wish to do so.

Please visit GOV.UK for the latest information and support on COVID-19.

Published 24 March 2020