Gender pay gap latest: 1,500 firms fail to meet midnight deadline for reporting pay data

Employers who failed to report before the deadline could face legal action, the ECHR has said

Around 1,500 organisations failed to report their gender pay gap data by the deadline of midnight on Wednesday, 4 April, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (ECHR).

With 10,015 meeting the deadline, firms continued to publish data on Thursday, and 10 more had reported by 8am.

There was a late surge in organisations reporting on deadline day, with more than 15 per cent filing their pay gap reports between Tuesday at 4pm and the cut-off point.

ECHR boss Rebecca Hilsenrath said the group was pleased with the rate of reporting. However, she added: “It’s the law, it’s not an option.”

Early analysis shows that 78 per cent of firms reported that they pay men more than women, while 8 per cent reported no median gap and 14 per cent reported a gap that favours women.

On Wednesday, the equalities minister, Baroness Williams, said the ECHR had “powers to make (firms) produce an action plan about complying”.

“If they don’t comply there is recourse to the courts and also fines. There will be pressure on them if they don’t comply,” she added.

The ECHR said it will write to employers who have failed to produce the relevant information on 9 April and give them 28 days to report. If they fail to meet the extended deadline, they will face an investigation and legal action.

Additional reporting by news wires