Equal Pay questionnaire
192.The Act introduces a formal questionnaire procedure for use in equal pay tribunal cases, with time limits for an employer response. The purpose of the procedure is to help the potential applicant decide whether to institute proceedings and to help them to formulate and present their case. This enables the key facts to be settled quickly and can encourage not only the swift establishment of evidence but also the settlement of cases.
193.Introduction of the questionnaire procedure is expected to lead to a 10% reduction in the number of equal pay Tribunal applications. Benefits to the taxpayer are estimated to be £0.1 million. Employer benefits are estimated at £0.5 million.
194.Total costs to employers of completing the questionnaire procedure are estimated to be between £ 0.2 and £ 0.4 million.