TUC calls for ban on pay secrecy clauses

Nearly a fifth of workers have been told they’re not allowed to discuss their pay with co-workers, according to a new TUC/GQR poll.

Eighteen per cent of those polled are subject to pay secrecy or ‘gagging’ clauses. The TUC is calling for a ban on the clauses which it says prevent workers from challenging unfair pay, discrimination and excessive top-to-bottom pay ratios.

The research also found that half of workers don’t know what senior managers in their organisations are paid, that more than half (53%) are not given information about other people’s pay in their organisation and fewer than one in five (18%) report that their workplace has a transparent pay policy, where salary details are available to everyone through an official source.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Pay secrecy clauses are a get out of jail free card for bad bosses.

“They stop workers from challenging unfair pay, allow top executives to hoard profits and encourage discrimination against women and disabled people.

“Talking about pay can feel a bit uncomfortable, but more openness about wages is essential to building fairer workplaces.”

In addition to a ban on pay secrecy clauses, the TUC is calling on government to commit to introducing the pay transparency measures currently being considered at European level. Pay transparency is at the centre of discussions around equal pay.

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