Poland faces challenges implementing EU salary‑transparency directive

The European Union’s Directive 2023/970 on pay transparency, which aims to ensure equal pay for men and women performing work of equal value, requires member states to adopt new rules by 7 June 2026. The rules obligate employers to provide job candidates with information on initial salaries or salary ranges and to limit questions about prior earnings. Employees gain the right to know the criteria used to set pay, and firms with at least 100 staff must report gender‑pay gaps.

Polish companies, especially small and medium‑sized enterprises, face a heavy implementation burden. Analysts warn that without clear national legislation the directive could create regulatory chaos for firms that lack the organisational and financial capacity to comply. The Polish government is urged to consult businesses of all sizes to craft practical rules, rather than simply transposing EU formulas and shifting risk onto employers. "Równa płaca za pracę tej samej wartości nie jest lewicowym wymysłem, lecz elementarną zasadą uczciwości," the commentary notes.

The outcome will affect recruitment practices across Poland, potentially making salary information a standard part of job adverts and reshaping how employers structure compensation.