I have worked in my current role for 4 years. My colleague has just gone on maternity leave and the person my Firm has appointed to cover has been brought in on considerably more money than me. I am a woman, he is a man. We are doing exactly the same role but I have the 4 years experience in this specific sector/firm – he does not. The reason I have been given is that interims are paid more… He receives the same benefits as me. 

I can find nothing in the Equal Pay legislation that says that it is acceptable to discriminate on the grounds that the comparator is an interim appointment.

However I do not want to pursue this unless I am sure of my facts – any advice gratefully received