Political Opinion: Job hunting shouldn’t be a guessing game

Monthly column by Alex Mayer, MP for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard

We’ve all seen job adverts promising a ‘competitive salary’. But what does that mean?

I think if you’re applying for a job, you should know what it pays.

That’s why I’m pleased the Labour Government is going to stop the guessing game so salary information is published upfront in all job ads.

Whether you’re a young person applying for your first job, a parent returning to work or someone looking for a new opportunity, knowing what you’ll earn matters.

People shouldn’t have to spend hours filling in applications, preparing for interviews and taking time off work, only to discover at the end that the salary isn’t enough to make the move worthwhile.

And there’s another important reason for making pay more transparent. It could help tackle the gender pay gap.

We’ve made real progress. Twenty-five years ago, the gap between what male and female full-time workers earned stood at 16.4%. Today it’s down to 6.8%, according to the latest Office for National Statistics figures.

But there is evidence that women can be particularly disadvantaged when salaries are kept secret. The Government's own equality-law evidence review finds that women are less likely to negotiate when salary expectations are unclear and are less likely to benefit from informal pay information. 58% of women surveyed felt they had received a lower salary offer because they were asked about their previous pay.  That’s lower pay literally following women around.

Publishing salary ranges helps put everyone on a more equal footing.

Employers want to attract the right people. Being upfront about pay means businesses spend less time interviewing people who might ultimately turn down the job, and everyone can concentrate on finding the right match.

In fact, the Government’s consultation found overwhelming support for the idea. Some 94% of respondents backed salary transparency, including 93% of employers who responded.

When the laws to make salary transparency a legal requirement are put to the vote in Parliament, I’ll be backing them. But actually there’s no reason to wait.

Businesses in Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Houghton Regis and surrounding villages can get ahead of the game. I’d urge everyone to start publishing salaries in their job adverts right now.

This proposal is about respect and opportunity. This is a positive step towards a fairer jobs market.