Council is addressing gender pay gap

Herefordshire Council chiefs say they are trying to address a 12.8% gender pay gap at the authority.

Council figures from a 2018 analysis show that women earn on average 87p for every £1 earned by her male colleagues.

Breinton resident Barbara Shore asked what actions had been taken to tackle the issue.

Finance and corporate services cabinet member Liz Harvey said the council takes equality in the workplace seriously.

“The council has a range of measures in place to support staff who have family, caring and other commitments including flexible working hours, annualised hours, compressed hours, part time working, etc,” she said.

“Council policies are based on flexibility for all employees subject to the needs of the service and are widely used by staff of all levels.

“The council also offers good paid maternity leave, paternity leave, shared parental leave, emergency special leave and career breaks.”