Raising an individual pay equity claim
Learn how an individual pay equity claim can be raised or how to join a claim already raised by a union.
| Level of compliance | Main audience | Other |
|---|---|---|
|
Inform
|
|
|
If choosing to raise an individual pay equity claim, this is the process that should be followed. If you have raised a claim that is also currently underway with a union and has not been settled, you can choose to join the union claim by following the process that is also on this page.
Key information
If you work in a school, you can raise a pay equity claim by writing to the Secretary for Education.
If you work for a private school or early learning centre you can raise a claim directly with your employer e.g. centre manager.
If there is already a pay equity claim raised by a union that covers your work, you will need to opt out of that claim before you can lodge your own. Your claim will also need to be lodged before the final date of voting on the related proposed settlement.
A claim must include the following:
- that the claim is a pay equity claim made under the Equal Pay Act 1972
- your name and address
- the date you make the claim
- your occupation, role, and a brief description of the work you carry out
- if you have someone representing you with the claim, their name and address
- description of how your claim meets the requirements to be an arguable pay equity claim under section 13F of the Equal Pay Act 1972.
If you have raised a pay equity claim against the Ministry or your school that is also currently underway with a union and has not been settled, you can choose to join the union pay equity claim instead by:
- writing to your employer or the Ministry asking that your other claim is withdrawn, and
- writing to the union asking to join their pay equity claim.
If settled, pay equity claims raised by a union will offer the benefits of the settlement to all ‘affected employees’ who opted out – that is, all people doing the same or similar work. If you accept the benefits, you cannot raise a pay equity claim. If you decline the benefits of any settlement, you will keep your right to raise a pay equity claim.
Last reviewed: Has this been useful? Give us your feedback