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ARTICLE · 05 APRIL 2026

Pay Transparency Directive Update: EU Publishes Gender-neutral Job Evaluation And Classification Guidelines

Arthur Cox
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The European Commission has published updated EU-wide guidance on gender-neutral job evaluation and classification.

IrelandEmployment and HR
Niamh Fennelly
Niamh Fennelly
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  • The European Commission has published updated EU-wide guidance on gender-neutral job evaluation and classification.
  • Ireland must transpose the Pay Transparency Directive by 7 June 2026, with phased implementation expected.
  • Early focus is likely to be on pre-employment pay transparency (pay ranges provided in advance; ban on pay history questions).
  • More complex “work of equal value” requirements may follow later, supported by national tools and employer workshops.

The European Commission, in consultation with the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), has updated EU-wide guidelines on gender-neutral job evaluation and classification, marking another preparatory step ahead of the transposition of the EU Pay Transparency Directive into national law. The guidelines are available here: EU-wide guidelines on gender-neutral job evaluation and classification: Step-by-step toolkit | European Institute for Gender Equality.

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