Are you being paid equally to men?

Do you think you’re being underpaid compared to your male colleagues?  

Women are being shortchanged. The Gender Pay Gap is 10.9% in 2025. But in some areas of the country, the pay gap is closer to 30%.   

Some of this is due to workplaces not working for women (such as lack of flexible working), some of it due to women being disproportionally in low-paid roles, and some of it due to pay discrimination (despite it being illegal for 50 years).  

If you think you’re being unfairly underpaid compared to male colleagues, take a look at some of these steps to put you back in control.  

Get evidence.  

• Look at what other similar roles are earning (check out job sites) 

• How has your pay changed at the employers over time, have you been given appropriate pay rises?  

• Focus on responsibilities and outputs, not titles. What responsibility do you have? What skills do you need? How has your role changed over time?  

Use internal processes early 

• Ask the HR team/HR lead/manager what policies and processes are in place to question your salary. Get to know those policies.  

• Compare those policies to best practice – if the policies aren’t up to scratch, question them.  

• Once you’ve understood the policies, raise concerns formally through those channels. Always put it in writing. Always keep records. Ask to record meetings or bring a friend with you if that feels reassuring.  

• Ask to know what your male colleagues (in similar/same roles) are being paid.  

You are not alone in this 

• Lots of women have experienced unequal and unfair pay. Look for stories and resources online from organisations like Citizen’s Advice or women’s charities.  

• Talk to your colleagues. Do not allow salary awkwardness to stop you discussing your salary with others. Check out your contract to see what it says about discussing salaries, but it is not enforceable to stop colleagues discussing salary info.  

• Join a union. Join a professional network. Find support and advice from others.  

Get legal advice and support 

• If you are not getting anywhere with your employer, have done your groundwork and have the evidence that you’re being paid unfairly, you can get legal advice.  

•  If you are earning less than £40k, you may be entitled to free legal advice through the Equal Pay Service (Fawcett Society and Leigh Day partnership)  

Find out more about our Equal Pay campaign, including our GENDER PAY GAP calculator