News and features

Tue, 13 Dec 2011

Acas publishes job evaluation guidance

Employment relations body issues advice to help companies avoid equal pay tribunal claims.

Employment relations service Acas has issued a new guide to help companies comply with the law and avoid tribunals relating to equal pay claims by using job evaluation.

Job evaluation helps companies impartially decide on the relative importance of the different roles within their organisation.

Acas said it decided to issue advice on the subject because ensuring the process is conducted without prejudice or discrimination can be a complex affair and if handled or communicated wrongly, its results can lead to equal pay claims.

According to the 2008 Acas report, there has been a 25 per cent increase in employment tribunals and claims, with equal pay cases contributing to the upswing.

Its booklet therefore lays out the benefits and risks of performing job evaluations, while also offering tips on establishing a risk analysis of the process.

Frank Blair, an Acas director who helped develop the guide, said: "Employers sometimes find it hard to justify their grading and pay systems. Putting in place a job evaluation scheme can remedy this and can also help prevent equality and HR-related problems from arising."

Acas was established as a statutory body in 1976 to promote best practice in workplace relations, as well as providing mediation, training and advice on employment law.