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Creating a Fair and Equitable Workplace - Best Practices for Employers

June 17, 2024

Creating a fair and equitable workplace is not only the right thing to do but also gives you a strategic advantage in attracting and retaining great people. As societal expectations and regulatory requirements around workplace equality evolve, employers must adopt best practices to ensure their organisations are transparent, inclusive, and fair. In this article, we’ll offer insights and actionable steps for employers to build a more equitable workplace.


Embrace Salary Transparency & Conduct Regular Salary Audits

Salary transparency is a cornerstone of workplace equity. When employees have access to information about salary ranges and compensation practices, it helps eliminate biases and ensures everyone is paid fairly for their work. Start by clearly communicating salary bands for different roles and regularly reviewing and updating these bands to reflect current market conditions.


Regular salary audits are essential to identify and address pay disparities within your organisation. These audits involve comparing the salaries of employees in similar roles to uncover any unjustified differences. By conducting these audits annually, you can ensure that any discrepancies are corrected promptly. Use the findings from these audits to inform your compensation policies and practices.


Utilise Salary Surveys

Participating in salary surveys, such as the EITR National IT Salary Survey, provides valuable data on industry compensation trends. These surveys offer benchmarks that can help you set competitive and fair salary ranges. By supporting and participating in salary surveys, employers contribute to a broader understanding of fair pay and help promote transparency across the industry. The insights gained from these surveys can guide your compensation strategy and ensure it aligns with market standards.


Participate in the 2024 EITR National IT Salary Survey here.


Inclusivity is the Only Way

Equity extends beyond salaries. Building an inclusive culture where all employees feel valued and respected is crucial. Implement diversity and inclusion training programs, promote diverse hiring practices, and create employee resource groups to support underrepresented groups within your organisation. An inclusive culture encourages diverse perspectives and allows for innovation, ultimately benefiting the entire company.


Also ensure that your promotion processes are transparent and based on merit. Clearly define the criteria for promotions and make this information accessible to all employees. Regularly review your promotion practices to ensure they are free from biases and provide equal opportunities for all employees to advance based on their skills and performance.


Develop and enforce comprehensive anti-discrimination policies to protect employees from bias and harassment. Ensure that these policies are clearly communicated and that all employees understand the procedures for reporting discrimination. Take swift and appropriate action in response to any reported incidents to maintain a safe and equitable workplace.


Encourage Open Communication

Create an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their concerns and providing feedback. Open communication channels, such as regular town hall meetings, anonymous suggestion boxes, and employee surveys, can help you gauge employee satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. Act on the feedback received to demonstrate your commitment to creating a better workplace.


Support Work-Life Balance

Promote policies that support work-life balance, such as flexible working hours, remote work options, and generous leave policies. These practices can help create a more equitable workplace by accommodating the diverse needs of your employees. Work-life balance policies can also enhance job satisfaction and reduce turnover.


The Role of Salary Surveys in Promoting Equity

Salary surveys play a crucial role in promoting workplace equity by providing objective data on compensation trends. These surveys offer benchmarks that help employers set fair and competitive salaries, identify pay disparities, and ensure their compensation practices align with industry standards.


Creating a fair and equitable workplace requires the collective effort of employers and industry leaders. By embracing best practices such as salary transparency, regular audits, inclusive culture initiatives, and supporting salary surveys, employers can lead the way in promoting workplace equity.


Join the movement towards transparency and fairness by participating in our
National IT Salary Survey. Your support and participation are vital in shaping a more equitable future for the IT industry.

Participate in the Survey Now

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