Entitled to equal pay backpay after retirement? Can anyone advise please:-)

[upcreekwithoutapaddle]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help, I'm enquiring about this on behalf of a relative who has retired.

They have been retired about 6 years now, and employees who are still working there have received a lump sum backpay to do with equal pay, this backpay relates to a time when my relative worked there.

The question is, would my relative have a case for backpay, as it is regarding a time when they worked there.

Any advice would be appreciated, as they are wondering if it would be worth pursuing or not.

Thank you :-)

[upcreekwithoutapaddle]

Thank you all for your replies, I think it's been handled by the union(not completley sure), my relative was in the union until they retired roughly six years ago

[Greeata]

My mother has just received her equal pay payment despite being retired over a year. She started the claim while she was still working though, but I shouldn't think that should make a difference.

She used a solicitor recommended by the union, and just continued paying her subs until the claim was settled. Contacting the union is a good place to start.

[JuliaScurr]

Definitely contact the relevant union. www.tuc.org.uk/

[HateBeingCantDoUpMyJeans]

How has this been handed so far? Union? Or a company/council trying to avoid legal proceedings? Do they know anyone who has received tge payment tgat could tell them what's happened?

[sneezecakesmum]

PS If they refuse first time, approaching a solicitor specialising in employment law may be worthwhile. First work out what the award would likely be so that it is cost effective.

[sneezecakesmum]

Commonsense says that it is their money and they should make a claim. If it was to do with equal pay, I should imagine other workers (usually men) were paid a higher salary for equal work (or work of equal value). Therefore your relative was denied it at the time of her employment, and if other employees are being awarded this now she should also receive it.

If the Inland Revenue had overtaxed her for that period there would be no question of having it repaid so I would definitely try for it.