Eileen LaveryHead of Strategic Enforcement Division

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

Current Issues of Sex Discrimination in Northern Ireland

Legislation

• Equal Pay Act 1970• Sex Discrimination Order 1976• Gender Reassignment 1999

Sex discrimination is unlawful

• Employment• Training• Education• Goods and services• Pay

Sexual Harassment• Unwanted or uninvited sexual conduct whichaffects the dignity of women or men at work

Maternity Rights• Not to be subject to unfair treatment on grounds of pregnancy, childbirth or maternity

• Not to be singled out for redundancy

Equal Pay

A right to equal pay in:

• work which is the same or broadly similar

• work rated as equivalent• work which is different but of equal

value

Women in the Labour Market• Economic Activity

65.2% Women75.1% Men

• Education 5 x A-C (GCSE)74% Girls60% Boys

• Part-Time Employees38% Women8% Men

Gender and Pay

• Full Time average weekly wage£438 Men£385 Women (87%)

• Public Sector V Private Sector• Part-Time penalty

Sex Discrimination

ECNI Enquiries2007/08 6242008/09 7852009/To Date 601

Issue of Sex Discrimination

• Pregnancy and maternity(including redundancy)

• Sexual Harassment

• Equal Pay

Pregnancy & Maternity

Judith Hitch and Richenda McAleenan

Sexual Harassment

Gillian O’RourkeJacinta MackieShauna Grieve

Equal Pay

Pamela McMullan

Eileen Lavery Head of Strategic Enforcement Division

Equality Commissionfor Northern Ireland7-9 Shaftesbury Square

028 90500 600elavery@equalityni.org

www.equalityni.org