UK: Are women paying for sexism laws?

Article here. Excerpt:

'Ms Banyard says that, despite having equal pay rights enshrined in law since the 1970s, a pay gap still exists and the law is not strong enough.

"As a result, companies are not required to check that they are paying equally, so it's absolutely crucial we have mandatory pay audits," she adds.

"The Equality Bill currently going through Parliament is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform equal pay law we cannot afford to miss."

Yet Ms Pease has urged MPs not to wade further into the issue, as legislation now meant some employers believed hiring a woman was a "nightmare".

Long maternity leave and fears of costly discrimination action were just two of the issues Ms Pease highlighted as factors that deterred firms from taking on women.'