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> UK > what we do > HR & legal > employment law & employee relations services > the employment guide > faqs > rights during employment > pay > The female training officer in our Southern Division is claiming that her job is of equal value to the male HR advisor at Head Office

The female training officer in our Southern Division is claiming that her job is of equal value to the male HR advisor at Head Office. Can she do that?

The female training officer in our Southern Division is claiming that her job is of equal value to the male HR advisor at Head Office. Do we have to pay her the same as him?

Yes. The comparator that the claimant chooses for the purposes of an equal pay claim must be employed by the same employer as the claimant or by an associated employer, such as another company in the same corporate group. The claimant can choose a comparator at the same workplace as her but she can also choose a comparator who works elsewhere in the group, provided broadly the same terms and conditions of employment apply at both workplaces.

It is for the employment tribunal that hears an equal value claim to decide whether two jobs are of equal value. The tribunal can decide the issue on its own or with the help of an independent expert. Broadly speaking, a job will be evaluated by identifying the demands made on the jobholder (such as effort, skill and decision-making), assessing the size of those demands, and then giving them more or less weight according to their importance to the organisation.

The EEF Employment Guide is intended to provide general guidance only. It does not purport to be comprehensive or to give legal advice. Users should always seek specific legal advice before taking or refraining from any action. Information and documents on this website are prepared in accordance with the laws of England, Wales and Scotland. Users accessing from Northern Ireland should be aware that different laws and interpretations may be applicable to Northern Ireland.