Some women workers could be missing out on as much as £11,000 annually. 

Thousands of Sheffield women are set to launch an equal pay claim against the city's council today (Monday 25 September).

Some of the women workers are thought to be missing out on up to £11,000 a year.

The claim centres around Sheffield City Council’s job evaluation scheme - which GMB research shows routinely discriminates against women dominated roles.

Through a 'job family' scheme, Sheffield Council is underpaying those who work in female dominated roles, such as cleaning, caring, or housing allocation.

The claim will be officially launched at the Sheffield Women of Steel Statue, in Barkers Pool, S1 4FT at 10.15am on Monday 25 September. [1]

Women dominated roles are missing out on, annually in fulltime roles: [2]

• Cleaners underpaid £1,710
• Care managers £8,351
• Senior teaching assistants up to £11,383

 GMB is calling on women from across the council workforce to get in touch to discuss whether they have a claim.

Sue Wood, GMB Senior Organiser, said: 

"What we have uncovered in Sheffield is truly scandalous. 

 "The council are using a rotten job allocation scheme that actively discriminates against its female workforce and opens up thousands of potential equal pay claims.

 "We are determined that this injustice must end and call upon the Town Hall to step up, commit to ending this blatant discrimination and scrap this unfair scheme.”

ENDS

Media Enquiries: Kat Fletcher, 07966 453808 [email protected]

Notes to editors:

• [1]GMB representatives will be available for interview
• [2] Comparable roles include:
  • Care Managers on Grade 6 whilst Cemetery Supervisors are on Grade 7, a difference of £8,351 annually
  • Cleaners (Grade 1) versus Caretakers (Grade 3), which translates to a pay difference of £1,710
  • Senior Teaching Assistant (Grade 5), versus Night-time Noise Officer (Grade 7) which translates as a £11,383 annual pay differential.