Discussing salaries with colleagues UK

[Colonel]

Hello, are employees allowed to discuss salaries with other employees? UK LAW
I've read YES on the internet because since the year 2010 EQUALITY ACT employers cannot enforce pay secrecy.
I've read that the law came about so that people can find out if they are receiving lower pay because or gender, race etc. discrimination.

But I've also read some confusing information too. So I do not know if I can or cannot discuss pay.

I am an older male full-time worker and been with company XXXX for many years. I've heard by that my NEWLY EMPLOYED younger female colleagues are being paid higher salaries for the same job, just on different days of the week.

I want to ask for a pay rise to match the female colleagues. I don't want to make a claim based on discrimination, I just want the same high wage.

If I write to Human Resources or my manager, they may question how I found out the salaries and could get into trouble?? Or sacked??

Please advise

[ULA]

The answer in short is that it is illegal for employers to stop employees from sharing details of their pay. Of course that does not mean an employee is obliged to tell another employee what they earn if asked the question.

[Colonel]

Thanks for your answer.

I was planning on sending a letter requesting a pay rise to my manager and regional manager.

Do you think it's a good idea to copy in Human Resources.

Managers will be trying to keep running costs low so , hey will not be keen on giving me a higher salary.

Perhaps HR would read in-between the lines of my letter and realise something isn't right. A more experienced, older male worker on a lower salary. Perhaps HR would encourage the managers to award a pay rise

[ULA]

My view is that you have two options:

1. As you say write to the two managers and copy HR.

2. Write to the two managers and see what response you get and if you are not happy, then write to HR providing copies of what you sent to the managers, the response you received and why you are unhappy about it.

[Colonel]

This question is still on my mind as I'm fast approaching the day I send my pay rise request.

In my letter I'm going to write "In order to bring a number to the table I've learnt that experienced employees earn £10,000. I've heard also that recent employees are being offered £10,000 too. Yet my salary is £5000"

If HR or managers asked me how I learnt this information shall I say: (1) from the internet salary checker sites (2) by actively asking colleagues (3) some random just told me (4) from internet chat room discussions.


None of the 4 options sound ideal but if its not against the law to discuss salaries then I could say any of the above without risking a disciplinary??? Please advise.


UK LAW QUESTION

[ULA]

I would really not overthink this. Something simple as I have become aware that my salary seems to have be at a much lower level than peer colleagues and even new starters joining the company, in a comparable role, are being paid at a higher salary level. Then ask for this to be looked into.

I am not sure whether you have detailed correct annual salaries in your post #5 but I am concerned that if that is your salary and you say in your post #1 you work full time, how many hours a week do you work?

[Manxman]

... I've heard by that my NEWLY EMPLOYED younger female colleagues are being paid higher salaries for the same job, just on different days of the week...

If you've not sent your letter yet, how do you know that what you have "heard" is correct? Hearing somebody say something is not the same as knowing it is true.

It's not unknown for people to lie about what they earn. Sometimes they increase it. Sometimes they decrease it.

[jaguarsuk]

If you've not sent your letter yet, how do you know that what you have "heard" is correct? Hearing somebody say something is not the same as knowing it is true.

It's not unknown for people to lie about what they earn. Sometimes they increase it. Sometimes they decrease it.

That is why Ula suggests the recipient of the letter to look into it in their first paragraph of post #6.