The Pay Equity Act imposes obligations on Quebec companies with an average of 10 or more salaried employees over the course of a calendar year. Pay equity goes further than “equal pay for equal work”, since it requires “equal pay for different but equivalent work”.
Employers who fail to comply with the Act are liable to fines ranging from $1,000 to $45,000.
By 2025, nearly 9,000 Quebec employers will be facing pay equity deadlines, with only a few weeks left to comply.
Tools offered by CNESST
The web platform dedicated to pay equity brings together all the resources needed to understand the legal obligations and produce the Employer Declaration of Pay Equity (EDPE). It includes practical tools, guides and essential information for successfully completing each stage of the pay equity process.
CNESST also offers a range of training courses tailored to the different needs of businesses. Webinars, offered live or recorded, cover key topics such as the use of MonÉquitéSalariale and job evaluation in a pay equity context. Self-study online training also enables participants to master the objectives of the Pay Equity Act and become familiar with the steps to follow.
The DEMES: a legal step not to be forgotten
Once the work has been completed (or if the company has fewer than 10 employees), each employer is required to complete the Declaration of Pay Equity Employer (DEMES). This process, which is separate from the initial exercise and the maintenance assessment, ensures that the company remains in good standing and receives the relevant communications from CNESST concerning its future obligations.
Three elements need to be ready before completing the DEMES: the Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ), the clicSÉQUR express or clicSÉQUR-Entreprises access code, and detailed information on the pay equity process within the organization. The web section dedicated to the DEMES brings together everything you need to know to complete this process efficiently.
Need support with your pay equity?
Do you want to meet your legal obligations, but don’t know where to start, or don’t have the right resources? At Le Capital humain, we’re with you every step of the way. Don’t wait, contact us today.
An article by our Human Capital team
For further reading
- Pay equity | Commission des normes de l’équité de la santé et de la sécurité du travail – CNESST
- Déclaration de l’employeur en matière d’équité salariale (DEMES) | Commission des normes de l’équité de la santé et de la sécurité du travail – CNESST
- CNESST Training and Webinars | Commission des normes de l’équité de la santé et de la sécurité du travail – CNESST
- Pay equity: a concern for companies under federal jurisdiction – Amyot Gélinas
