Beleaguered bosses' concern over pay transparency plan

PLANS to make businesses tell staff what colleagues earn have sparked warnings that they will hinder the flexibility to pay fairly and may not work at smaller firms.

- By Ali Lyon

Ministers are looking at ways to end pay discrimination — options include making firms publish remuneration structures and criteria for progression plus insisting that job ads carry salary ranges.

The measures are part of an industry consultation amid an overhaul of equality policies. But leading figures have warned of the potential implications.

Alex Hall-Chen, principal policy adviser for employment at the Institute of Directors, said some “would only serve to complicate the recruitment processes” and harm companies’ ability to “fairly reward performance and experience”.