Why is gender-neutral job evaluation and classification important?
Gender-neutral job evaluation and classification help create fairer workplaces and is one of the most effective tools to comply with the requirement of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between women and men in an organisation.
- Increase trust and engagement among workers by making pay systems clear and fair. It also contributes to stronger, more resilient organisations by improving recruitment, retention and workplace culture.
- Support compliance with the Pay Transparency Directive (2023/970), which requires pay structures to be based on gender-neutral criteria.
- Correct the historic undervaluation of jobs often done by women and contribute to closing the gender pay gap.
A note for users
The toolkit is a voluntary, practical resource that offers guidance, tools and examples to help organisations conduct a gender-neutral job evaluation and classification. Using the toolkit can support your efforts to comply with the Pay Transparency Directive, but its use does not certify or guarantee compliance.
The toolkit is not legally binding and does not interpret EU law. Its use does not replace existing tools, regulations, collective agreements or other systems in place that already support organisations and social partners with the implementation of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between women and men. For legal and institutional details about the applicable frameworks, organisations should consult their national authorities, equality bodies and social partners.