With the EU Pay Transparency Directive coming into force in June 2026, SMB companies across Europe are facing a fundamental shift in how they approach compensation. One of the most critical (and often overlooked) foundations for compliance and equal pay reporting is a clear, consistent job architecture.
The EU Pay Transparency Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/970) introduces new rights for employees to obtain information about pay, and is aimed at enforcing equal pay for equal work between men and women. A key provision is that workers will have a “right to information” (Article 7) about their own pay and how it compares to the pay of peers in similar roles.
August also marks the peak of the holiday season across Europe, a time when many HR professionals are understandably more focused on vacations than upcoming EU Pay Transparency Directive compliance deadlines. With many teams running at a slower pace, now is a rare window to tackle the low-lift, high-impact groundwork for the EU Pay Transparency Directive. The directive goes live across member states on 7 June 2026, but smart, early action this summer can help prevent a last-minute scramble next spring. You don’t need to choose between taking time off and getting ahead. In fact, August is ideal for both. Don’t let August slip away into a moment in time–yes, like the Taylor Swift song!