Campaign launches to end interviewers asking applicants their current salary

Campaigners for equal pay want to end the practice of employers asking applicants during interviews how much they earn in their current role.

Research by the Fawcett Society revealed more than half of candidates felt employers were asking about previous earnings so they could be offered a lower wage.

The Fawcett Society and the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) produced a guide for recruiters which contains practical tips to tackle the issue.

Fawcett Society chief executive, Jemima Olchawski said: "Asking a job candidate for salary history goes much deeper than an annoying or awkward conversation - it's an uncomfortable question that in reality, keeps women on lower salaries.

"Women, people of colour and disabled people are much more likely to be paid less then men. So, when you ask about salary history, past pay discrimination and bias follows through from one job to the next, perpetuating gender, disability and ethnicity pay gaps."

REC deputy chief executive Kate Shoesmith said: "Not asking a candidate about their past earnings is a simple way to ensure everyone is being treated equally when they apply for a job, no matter what their background is.

"Research shows that this helps to narrow gender pay gaps. Equality, diversity and inclusion are hugely important issues for the REC, and we hope that by producing this guide, we can help recruiters to understand the difference they and their clients can make by stopping asking salary history questions."

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• Gender Pay Gap
• employment