Intellect comments on equalities bill

17:44 3rd July 2008

IT industry lobbying group Intellect has issued a mixed response to the equalities bill recently brought before parliament.

The organisation has suggested that removing the so-called salary gagging clause in employment contracts is a welcome move, but has called for more to be done to ensure that women receive fair pay awards for the work they do.

Intellect maintains that relatively few women in the UK are keen to embark on an IT career and that by obliging businesses to carry out an equal pay audit the situation could be markedly improved.

Carrie Hartnell, programme manager responsible for Intellect's women in IT work, said: "For some time now we have been urging technology companies in the private sector to follow the lead of the public sector and implement equal pay audits as soon as possible and we will be continuing to do so."

Meanwhile, Maggie Berry, director of womenintechnology.co.uk, suggested recently that the IT skills shortage affecting businesses across the UK represents a considerable opportunity for women looking for IT careers.