Are there factors that justify a difference in wages?
Yes. Differences in wages between men and women performing work of equal value within the same establishment are permitted if they are due to one of the “reasonable factors” set out in section 16 of the Equal Wages Guidelines, 1986 . These factors include: • differences in performance ratings; • seniority; • red-circling for re-evaluation, re-classification, downgrading of a position or demotion; • rehabilitation or temporary training assignments; • internal labour shortages; or • regional rates of pay. The onus is on the employer to demonstrate that a factor is applied consistently and equitably.
