How can companies address pay gaps without disrupting internal morale?

The EU Pay Transparency Directive shines a light on gaps that may have gone unnoticed. Fixing them isn’t just about adjusting numbers: it’s about how you plan, communicate and support the process.

Done well, it builds trust and credibility. Rushed or poorly explained, it risks harming morale and even triggering legal risk.

Once gaps are uncovered, especially unexplained ones, the immediate question is: what now?

The Directive's expectation:

If pay gaps of 5% or more can't be justified, you must:

• Carry out a joint pay audit
• Develop a corrective action plan within six months
• Involve employee representatives in most cases

How to approach it thoughtfully:

1. Start with a pay equity review
   1. Identify gaps and test whether they're explainable
   2. Prioritise high-risk areas, like wide gaps or senior roles
2. Use structured tools
   1. Apply objective, gender-neutral criteria
   2. Use benchmarking and internal frameworks to guide decisions
   3. Avoid blunt fixes (e.g. raising all salaries by a flat percentage)
3. Communicate with care
   1. Set expectations early
   2. Share principles before numbers
   3. Where possible, align corrections with promotion or review cycles
4. Plan for the long term
   1. Budget for phased corrections if needed
   2. Share anonymised results with employee reps or works councils
   3. Commit only when you're ready to follow through
5. Support managers
   1. Equip them to answer tough questions
   2. Provide escalation channels
   3. Reinforce that transparency is about fairness, not blame

See also: How should companies calculate gender pay gaps? 

Addressing pay gaps isn’t a one-off fix. It needs clear criteria, open communication and careful pacing. Done well, it strengthens confidence in your pay framework and reassures employees that fairness is non-negotiable.

Pay transparency will surface tough questions - but it also gives organisations the chance to show real leadership.

Tackled thoughtfully, pay gaps can turn compliance into a cultural advantage, proving that fairness isn’t just a number, but a value embedded in your organisation.