Can I ask for payband/gender info?

[MilesHuntsWig]

Hello, can I (reasonably) ask HR/Rewards for a breakdown of salary range for my grade and the distribution of males/females across that?

I've just found out that I have a base salary slightly lower than someone in my team 4 grades lower than I am . I also know that I'm pretty much the only female left at my grade in my business unit since there was a change in culture (leadership) a couple of years ago.

I'm therefore interested if I can ask for this info to demonstrate how bad (I believe) the gender/pay issue is in our department of our (large tech) company.

[MilesHuntsWig]

Anyone there?

[iwannapuppy]

I don't think an employer is under any obligation to disclose other salaries. They would probably tell you what the pay bandings are but not what gender or how many employees are on what. Its how they manage to hide from these massively unfair gender pay bands.

[TotalPerspectiveVortex]

Although it's worth noting that gender pay gap reporting is coming in in April, which you may find useful - a good starting point for having the conversation.

[TotalPerspectiveVortex]

Oh! Should've added this m.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5768
Can't make it clicky

[Jeffjefftyjeff]

I was also wondering exactly this today as I discovered that my salary is close to the minimum for my band but I am a high achiever. I work in the public sector and we have an equality strategy so was going to ask the team responsible for that about data. But if you had that kind of option sure you'd have thought of it!

[CotswoldStrife]

There is no obligation for your employer to provide this (currently) although I would say that you have more chance if your employer is large, as a smaller one could refuse outright on the grounds that it would identify individuals. Your unit's breakdown would identify you if you are the only female so expect a refusal on that one!

It sounds like a complicated system if it is base salary (implies some additional salary is possible either through bonus/appraisal/commission) and the band/grade issues seems confusing. Is it a case of the non-base salary being accrued at a higher rate for the higher grade?

[MilesHuntsWig]

Thanks everyone. Total vortex that was clicky (and v interesting). I'm going to ask for the info just to indicate I'm not rolling over on this (haven't been too pushy in this regard historically as I'm more motivated by interesting work etc - guess that was naive!).

Wrt things in addition to base salary, we get a couple of allowances, pension and higher target bonus at higher grades - but these additional things don't get THAT much bigger once you're over the threshold for getting them in the first place as you go up the scale IYSWIM?

Just bloody annoying TBH.

[AndNoneForGretchenWieners]

If you work in the public sector, you could do a freedom of information request.