SALISBURY-based companies are being advised to check that they comply with rules about equal pay or risk being named, shamed and fined.

Employment law expert James Humphery of law firm Trethowans said employment tribunals will soon have the power to order companies to conduct equal pay audits.

Changes under The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act mean that equal pay audits will be ordered where companies are in breach of the equal pay provisions under the Equality Act. Mr Humphery said most companies found to have breached the Equality Act will have to carry out detailed pay audits which will then have to be approved by the employment tribunal and posted on websites for three years.

“Equal pay has been in the spotlight recently and the introduction of this new power for Employment Tribunals is a timely reminder for companies to ensure they comply with the law,’’ said Mr Humphery.

“Equal pay claims are always complicated, messy and time consuming so being forced to undertake and publish an audit rubs salt into an open wound.”

He said this kind of audit examines the pay of groups of workers doing equal jobs with the aim of identifying the reasons for pay gaps and closing any gaps which can't be objectively justified.

There'll be fines of up to £5,000 for non-compliance.

To find out further information about the changes and how they might affect your company contact Trethowans on 01722 425986.