The UK has introduced rules to ensure organisations treat people fairly, including workers, customers, and investors. For example, employers must treat employees fairly in how they manage and reward them. Big companies also have to publish pay specific gender pay gap data.

This factsheet looks at pay fairness, including equal pay and differences between high and low pay. It explains what companies have to report, including gender pay gaps, and shows how sharing pay stories can help employers prove they’re being fair.

Explore our stances on low pay and financial wellbeing and executive pay in more detail, along with actions for government and recommendations for employers.

Contents

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  • Data

    Gender pay gap

    Explore the CIPD's detailed analyses of 2025/2026 gender pay gap reporting in the UK and Northern Ireland, updated in May 2026. CIPD members can also download these datasets to benchmark and compare your organisation's performance against national data.

  • Data

    Pay intentions

    Stay up to date with the latest pay intentions among employers in the UK, with data analysis from the CIPD's Labour Market Outlook report. CIPD members can also download the data for use in your internal organisational benchmarking, discussions, and business cases.

  • Factsheet

    Occupational health

    Outlines the role of occupational health services in an organisation and the role of confidentiality and consent in discussing an employee’s health

    For Members
  • Factsheet

    Recruitment: An introduction

    Facts on the recruitment and resourcing process; from defining the role to making the appointment

    For Members
  • Factsheet

    Flexible working practices

    Explores the benefits of flexible working, the types of arrangements commonly used and gives practical tips on implementing flexible working practices

    For Members
  • Factsheet

    PESTLE analysis

    Discover what PESTLE means, how it influences your organisation, plus a downloadable template

    • Factsheets