Employers breathe a sigh of relief as reporting deadlines are put on hold!

  • Government suspends gender pay gap reporting for 2019/20 due to Covid-19.
  • No expectation for employers to report their gender pay gap data this year.
  • Over 3000 employers (26% of expected) have already submitted their data.
  • GEO will continue to support employers who wish to report their data.
  • Joint statement emphasizes the unprecedented pressure on employers.

In response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have announced the suspension of gender pay gap reporting for the 2019/20 year. This means that employers will not be required to submit their gender pay gap data this year. Despite this suspension, over 3000 employers, representing 26% of those expected to report, have already submitted their data through the gov.uk website. The GEO has stated that it will continue to offer support to any employers who choose to report their data voluntarily. In a joint statement, Liz Truss, the minister for women and equalities, and David Isaac, chair of the EHRC, acknowledged the significant uncertainty and pressure that employers are currently facing, leading to the decision to suspend enforcement of reporting requirements. Under normal circumstances, the EHRC has the authority to investigate employers who fail to report their gender pay gap data, which could result in unlimited fines following court action.

Factuality Level: 10
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about the suspension of gender pay gap deadlines due to the coronavirus outbreak and includes relevant quotes from the GEO and EHRC. It also mentions that over 3000 employers have already reported their data and that support will be provided for those who wish to report. The article is not sensational, redundant, or biased.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the suspension of gender pay gap deadlines due to the coronavirus outbreak and the reasons behind it. It also mentions that more than 3000 employers have already reported their data. However, it lacks in-depth analysis or exploration of the consequences of this decision on affected parties and does not offer actionable insights or solutions.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Employers in the UK
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses a decision by the Government Equalities Office and the Equality and Human Rights Commission to suspend enforcement of gender pay gap deadlines due to the coronavirus outbreak, which may impact employers’ financial obligations and reporting requirements.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article, but the coronavirus outbreak has caused some changes to the gender pay gap reporting deadlines.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk