- The Highland Council is committed to the principle of equal pay for all its employees and aims to eliminate any sex bias in its pay systems.
- The Council understands that equal pay between men and women is a legal right under both domestic and European law.
- It is in the interest of the Council to ensure that it has fair and just pay systems. It is important that employees have confidence in the process of eliminating sex bias and the Council is committed to achieving this through consultation with employees and the recognised trade unions.
- The Council believes that in eliminating sex bias in its pay systems, it is sending a positive message to its employees and the Highland community. It makes good business sense to have fair and transparent reward systems and it also helps the Council to control costs.
- The Council’s objectives are to:
• Identify and eliminate any unfair, unjust or unlawful practices that impact on pay
• Take appropriate remedial action.
- The Council will:
• Implement a revised pay strategy for employees covered by the Scottish Joint Council for Local Government Employees conditions of service that ensures equal pay for work of equal value.
• Implement an external equal pay review of this new pay strategy in line with requirements of the ‘Red Book’ agreement ( which covers single status and job evaluation for local government employees ) and following the guidance issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission
• Apply the agreed job sizing arrangements for the grades and pay of teachers
• Harmonise and implement the pay and conditions of service for craft operatives
• Respond to grievances and complaints to the Council on equal pay
• Monitor pay statistics annually
• Consult and plan actions in consultation with employees and Trade Unions
• Review progress every three years