[Belgium] Majority of companies are unclear about new EU salary directive

In Belgium, new research has revealed that nearly eight in ten SMEs lack a clear understanding of the implications of the new European directive on salary transparency, The Brussels Times reports.

The findings are based on a September survey of 523 Belgian SMEs by HR services provider SD Worx, and a separate poll of 1,000 Belgian workers.

EU member states, including Belgium, must translate the directive into national legislation by June 7, 2026. The directive came into effect on June 6, 2023. It already outlines basic principles and actions for employers to prepare.

According to SD Worx, only 1 in 5 SMEs is fully informed about the future requirements for salary transparency.

Nearly half (46 per cent) have reportedly heard of the directive but are unclear about its details, while around one-third (32 per cent) are completely unaware. Overall, 78 per cent of Belgian SMEs admit they do not fully understand the directive.

Three-quarters of Belgian SMEs currently communicate salary details with some degree of transparency during recruitment. Of these, SD Worx found that 42 per cent disclose salary at first contact, while 34 per cent share it later in the recruitment process.

One in five SMEs is less transparent. In 16 per cent of cases, salary details are only provided when the contract is signed, while 4 per cent disclose this information only upon the candidate’s request.

SD Worx reportedly stated that, while salary disclosure during recruitment is a good starting point, companies should also be ready to explain their salary policies transparently within the organisation, based on objective criteria.

Despite half of SMEs claiming to meet this requirement, only 1 in 4 workers confirmed that they do.

Source: The Brussels Times

In Belgium, new research has revealed that nearly eight in ten SMEs lack a clear understanding of the implications of the new European directive on salary transparency, The Brussels Times reports.

The findings are based on a September survey of 523 Belgian SMEs by HR services provider SD Worx, and a separate poll of 1,000 Belgian workers.

EU member states, including Belgium, must translate the directive into national legislation by June 7, 2026. The directive came into effect on June 6, 2023. It already outlines basic principles and actions for employers to prepare.

According to SD Worx, only 1 in 5 SMEs is fully informed about the future requirements for salary transparency.

Nearly half (46 per cent) have reportedly heard of the directive but are unclear about its details, while around one-third (32 per cent) are completely unaware. Overall, 78 per cent of Belgian SMEs admit they do not fully understand the directive.

Three-quarters of Belgian SMEs currently communicate salary details with some degree of transparency during recruitment. Of these, SD Worx found that 42 per cent disclose salary at first contact, while 34 per cent share it later in the recruitment process.

One in five SMEs is less transparent. In 16 per cent of cases, salary details are only provided when the contract is signed, while 4 per cent disclose this information only upon the candidate’s request.

SD Worx reportedly stated that, while salary disclosure during recruitment is a good starting point, companies should also be ready to explain their salary policies transparently within the organisation, based on objective criteria.

Despite half of SMEs claiming to meet this requirement, only 1 in 4 workers confirmed that they do.

Source: The Brussels Times