The project's objective was to contribute to updating the EU-wide guidelines on gender-neutral job evaluation and classification systems for employers to eliminate gender-based pay discrimination. With the development of a step-by-step guideline, the specific objective was to increase the use of gender-neutral job evaluation and classification as a tool to ensure equal pay for the same work or work of equal value between women and men. This project fell within the scope of the EU Pay Transparency Directive, which empowers the European Commission to update Union guidelines in consultation with EIGE. The project encompassed the following deliverables:
- Desk research and analysis of existing tools, methodologies, guidelines and manuals for gender-neutral job evaluation and classification systems from EU Member States and non-EU countries (21 resources from Member States, 10 from non-EU countries), complemented by over 50 interviews in six selected Member States (Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden) and at EU level with employers, social partners, gender equality bodies and experts, together with 16 organisational-level case studies of implementation.
- Step-by-step toolkit on gender-neutral job evaluation and classification comprising practical tools, templates and guidance for employers of all sizes. The toolkit was developed as a standalone guidelines document and as an interactive web version for EIGE's website.
- The draft toolkit was tested and validated through written consultations with institutional stakeholders at the EU and national levels, as well as in an online testing session with employers representing different organisational sizes across EU Member States, synthesising feedback to refine the final toolkit.
- Knowledge-based awareness-raising products comprising policy brief, factsheet, PowerPoint presentation and preparatory webinar materials, as well as targeted communication messages for diverse stakeholder groups.
The project was contracted by EIGE and implemented by PPMI in collaboration with three international gender-neutral job evaluation experts from Iceland, New Zealand and Finland, and national experts who supported with data collection and analysis (DE, BE, SE, FR, FI, ES).