Great Britain: employers’ confederation urges businesses to publish ethnicity pay gap details

On 26 February the CBI employers’ confederation called on employers with more than 250 staff to voluntarily publish their ethnicity pay gap details. The confederation argues that if companies promoted full diversity then the economy would enjoy a boost of up to £24 billion (€28.45 billion). To encourage employers, the CBI has unveiled a ‘Bridge the Gap’ guide for its members in which three key points are promoted, namely: building an inclusive company culture in which employees feel safe in refering to their ethnic origins, becoming a company that champions diversity and recruits BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) staff, and thirdly by encouraging discussions over ethnicity and ethnic origins at work. Matthew Fell, CBI Chief UK Policy Director stated that “Diverse companies are better companies,” adding that “Firms already know that embracing a wide range of talent represents a real competitive advantage. Which is why they should not be waiting to act until legislation is introduced by Government.” The ruling Conservative government intends to adopt legislation on ethnic pay gaps, along the lines of that already in place for gender pay gaps (c.f. article No. 9966), within two years. A recent study revealed an absence of diversity in more than a third of major companies’ boards across the UK (c.f. article No. 11638).