Equality Bill

Forty years ago the Equal Pay Act was introduced - giving men and women doing like-for-like jobs the right to the same wage.
Yet still men are averaging 23 per cent an hour more than women.
Now, a new bill is set to make employers publish gender pay gaps - though not until 2013 - and even then only companies with more than 250 staff.
The government is suggesting the introduction of the Bill will make employers transparent - that unfairness in pay differences can only be tackled if it's out in the open.
I attend regular meetings of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) diversity forums and this subject has been discussed endlessly. Having heard all points of view I don't believe this Bill is the answer. Many employers have too few women in higher paid roles. Publishing their current details could deter the type of applicants they'd be keen to encourage - which in the long run could compound rather than improve the situation.
And for those sectors which were traditionally dominated by men now taking positive steps to diversity their workforce the difference in gender pay will be misleading. The women who are entering those professions are still at lower pay levels.
Diversifying workforces takes time and the Government must recognise that.