04/06/2026
GENDER PAY GAP - 7th June Deadline
Ireland is transposing the EU Pay Transparency Directive into national law by 7 June 2026, strengthening existing gender pay gap reporting via the Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021.
New rules will force employers to disclose pay ranges in job ads, ban salary history queries, and grant employees the right to request information on average pay for similar roles.
Key Aspects of Upcoming Irish Pay Transparency Rules
* Recruitment Transparency: Employers must disclose the initial pay range or level in job advertisements or before interviews.
* Salary History Ban: Employers are prohibited from asking about a candidate's current or previous salary.
* Employee Right to Information: Employees can request, in writing, information on their individual pay level and the average, gender-disaggregated pay levels for employees doing the same work or work of equal value.
* Gender Pay Gap (GPG) Reporting: Existing mandatory reporting for companies with 150+ employees (reducing to 50+ over time) will be expanded, with mandatory joint pay assessments if a gap of 5% or more exists and is not justified.
* End to Pay Secrecy: Contractual clauses prohibiting employees from disclosing their pay will be banned.
* Penalties: Member states must implement "effective, proportionate, and dissuasive" penalties for violations.
Key Dates & Actions
Transposition Deadline: 7 June 2026.
Preparation: Employers should review current pay structures, audit for pay gaps, and update recruitment policies to include salary ranges.
If you need any help or advice please contact us at [email protected]
