THREE QUARTERS of black workers believe that white colleagues doing the same job are on a higher salary. according to a new survey.

A new survey by the networking group People Like Us found that just under three quarters of black African and Caribbean working professionals “had reason to believe that a white colleague doing the same job as them is/was on a higher salary.”

The report also revealed that people from racially diverse backgrounds are passed over for a pay rise the more senior they become. 59% believe their career glass ceiling is down to the colour of their skin.

Another new survey, by Equilibrium Mediation Consulting, found that 52% of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) women believed they were paid less than white colleagues working in the same role. Half that number were told that the position had suddenly closed when they applied.

The consultancy is led by Dianne Greyson who has championed Ethnicity Pay Gap Day.

The Equilibrium report, which also involved interviews, found that pay inequality ranged from £3,000 to £10,000 per annum.

The differences were not limited to pay. One interviewee described how she was denied medical insurance while her white male co-worker who was doing the same job, was given the perk.

There were also stark differences in promotion and development. One in ten BAME women who applied for a promotion were offered the post but asked to take a pay cut. 

Today marks Ethnicity Pay Gap Day, which is a campaign to get the government to introduce mandatory workplace monitoring for people of colour.

Ministers have so far resisted calls despite a growing coalition that includes the Equality and Human Rights Commission watchdog, the CBI federation of businesses, and the TUC that represents trade unions.

Former prime minister Theresa May has also backed ethnicity pay monitoring.

In a foreword to the Equilibrium report, former cabinet minister Lord Boateng said there was “both a moral and economic incentive for organisations to recognise and address wage inequality.”

Sheeraz Gulsher, Co-Founder, People Like Us said: “It’s simple. Nobody should earn less because of the colour of their skin, their sexual preference, gender or anything else that isn’t related to their performance. Salary and job progression should be based on merit, but the data here makes it patently clear that currently, they aren’t.

“Organisations need to get better at identifying pay gaps and progression bias within their companies. because without understanding the issue, you can’t fix it.”We’re asking every HR professional, payroll professional, CEO and business leader to do this exercise, and don’t just focus on race or gender, look at all cross sections in your company including race, sexuality, disability and gender.”