Equality and Diversity

Equal pay

Since 2001 we have undertaken regular equal pay audits in line with the guidance of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (formerly Equal Opportunities Commission).

In 2011 the pay gap in pay bands A - C in favour of men was an average 3%, increasing to just under 7% for gross salary due to e.g. overtime payments, IT allowances and the red circling of personal maxima for 13 long serving male C2 patent examiners.

Women occupy only 10% of the 84 IT specialist posts reflecting similar historical, social and cultural influences as those that apply to the recruitment of patent examiners.

The results of the People Survey 2011 suggests that women generally feel more positive than men about how fairly they are treated, respected and valued with an average 10% higher staff engagement score.

Next: Reasonable adjustments