Gender-neutral job evaluation and classification: A step-by-step toolkit

This toolkit helps organisations across the EU carry out gender-neutral job evaluation and classification. It offers practical steps to ensure that jobs are assessed based on objective, gender-neutral criteria.

These criteria, called ‘factors’, include skills, responsibility, effort and working conditions.

The toolkit is designed for all employers, whether you are a micro-organisation, a small or medium-sized organisation, or a large organisation.

What is gender-neutral job evaluation and classification?

Gender-neutral job evaluation and classification is a fair and transparent way to compare jobs and assess their relative value in an organisation.

It provides a solid foundation for setting up or reviewing an organisation’s pay structure.

Gender-neutral job evaluation and classification ensures that all job demands are recognised and rewarded fairly. It looks at the role itself, not the person working in this role, and uses clear, gender-neutral and bias-free factors to determine the job’s value.

Learn more

What can they achieve?

  • More diverse and skilled workforce
  • More gender-equal the labour market
  • Equal pay for equal work
  • Economic benefits strengthened

Who is this toolkit for?

This toolkit is designed for all organisations – from micro-organisations to small, medium-sized and large organisations.

It supports those carrying out a job evaluation and classification for the first time and those looking to update or improve existing systems.

It provides three pathways so that any organisation can carry out a job evaluation and classification free from gender bias.

Why is it important?

Gender-neutral job evaluation and classification helps ensure equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between women and men in an organisation.

It builds trust and transparency in pay systems and helps attract and keep talent in your organisation. It also reduces the risk of legal disputes and supports compliance with the principles of Directive (EU) 2023/970, the Pay Transparency Directive.

Ultimately, gender-neutral job evaluation and classification helps correct the historic undervaluation of jobs often done by women.

Learn more

How?

The toolkit guides you step by step through the three stages of a gender-neutral job evaluation and classification. You will find practical tools, templates and examples to make each stage clear and easy to apply.

Preparation

  1. Understanding gender bias
  2. Getting started
  3. Gathering information

Actions

  1. Evaluating jobs
  2. Establishing your pay structure

Follow up

  1. Adjusting job titles and descriptions
  2. Tracking progress and future planning

How trade unions and workers benefit

  • Trade unions

    Get a negotiating tool to support fair and transparent job evaluation and classification.

  • Workers

    Learn how to start an equal pay conversation with their organisation.

Supporting materials

The supporting materials will help you understand and effectively implement a gender-neutral job evaluation and classification in your organisation.

A note for users

The toolkit is a voluntary, practical resource that offers guidance, tools and examples to help organisations conduct a gender-neutral job evaluation and classification. Using the toolkit can support your efforts to comply with the Pay Transparency Directive, but its use does not certify or guarantee compliance.

The toolkit is not legally binding and does not interpret EU law. Its use does not replace existing tools, regulations, collective agreements or other systems in place that already support organisations and social partners with the implementation of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between women and men. For legal and institutional details about the applicable frameworks, organisations should consult their national authorities, equality bodies and social partners.

Learn more about why and how this toolkit was developed

Downloads

More gender mainstreaming toolkits