Job Assessment, Job Evaluation and Equal Value

Abstract

Unequal assessment of the job content of ‘male’ and ‘female’ jobs is clearly a barrier to equal pay for women. However, this chapter suggests that it is not the only barrier. In addition, while it is relatively easy to identify the problem of unfair evaluation of the relative worth of work done by men and women, finding a solution is more difficult. In the USA much comparable-worth activity is based upon the premise that job content can be assessed on a gender-neutral basis. In Britain, an employer can defeat an equal-value claim at the preliminary stage of the proceedings if the employer can prove the use of an ‘analytical’ job-evaluation scheme in determining pay, unless such schemes can be shown to be discriminatory. None of the major schemes marketed by consultants in Britain has yet been subject to such a test. However, concerns are developing about their use and their possible bias against certain occupational groups.