Paving the path to equity 

Shot of a group of colleagues using a laptop together at work  
Shot of a group of colleagues using a laptop together at work    

With less than two years to full implementation, many organizations are already actioning better pay transparency initiatives to increase the fairness of pay. How are you preparing for the new EU Pay Transparency Directive?

This directive — the culmination of years of dedicated EU efforts toward pay equity — mandates equal pay for equal work (or work of equal value) and introduces robust measures for pay transparency and gender pay reporting. Its impact is expected to extend far beyond Europe, affecting multinational corporations and organizations globally.

If you do business in Europe or on a global scale, your company is sure to feel the effects. But are you prepared?

How do we know where to start and what to do? 

Before you are compelled to open the door and reveal your pay practices, you will want to first find out what you don’t know – with a key focus on pay equity, build a strategy to remediate the issues, and then begin to execute on that strategy.

We have developed a 3-step approach to help you prepare for pay equity in light of pay transparency.

  • Step 1: Gather and understand your data
    The journey toward pay equity begins with getting clarity on your own current pay practices. It’s crucial to conduct internal audits to understand what is happening. These audits are not merely compliance exercises, they are proactive steps to unearth what you might not know about your organization's pay dynamics.
  • Step 2: Build a pay equity strategy
    After identifying the issues, the next step is to devise a strategy to address them. This is a long-term endeavor that requires immediate and ongoing attention. Key actions include rectifying inconsistencies and biases in pay processes and aligning policies across different regions and divisions of your multinational enterprise.
  • Step 3: Act on underlying pay equity issues
    Pay transparency can bring to light significant equity shortfalls, necessitating a thorough assessment of risks and potential impacts. Understanding the root causes of these equity gaps is essential to devising effective solutions. It’s not just about fixing numbers; it's about addressing the systemic issues that lead to pay disparities, whether they're related to gender, race, organizational changes, or cultural biases.
The goal is not only to comply with upcoming regulations but also to foster a fair, transparent, and equitable workplace. This approach not only safeguards against legal and reputational risks but also enhances employee morale, builds trust, and contributes positively to your organization's broader goals and values.  

Finally, preparing the organization for change is crucial

As your organization embarks on the journey to address pay equity, it's important to recognize that this is a gradual process that requires guidance and careful management. During this period of change, it is essential to create a clear and truthful narrative. Employees play a central role in this transition, and some may perceive unfair treatment. Proactively addressing these concerns is not only a matter of compliance but also of preserving trust and morale within your workforce. Your narrative should demonstrate a commitment to fairness and transparency, acknowledging past shortcomings and outlining the specific actions being taken to rectify them.
For more advice and useful insights into how other organizations have developed their pay equity and transparency initiatives download our full guide.
  
About the author(s)
Lea Lonsted

Regional Pay Equity & DEI Leader, Europe & UK

Lucye Provera

Regional Pay Equity & DEI Leader, Europe & UK

Lucy Brown

Pay Equity & DEI Leader, UK

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