HR Heartbeat: pay transparency, pay rises and remote working

Pay transparency: why you should start preparing now

Pay transparency is set to become a bigger part of working life in Ireland. It’s time to reconsider how you talk about salaries, promotions, and pay decisions.

The EU Pay Transparency Directive is expected to introduce new requirements around sharing salary information and helping employees understand how pay decisions are made. Ireland's recent rise in the EU gender equality rankings has also put a renewed focus on workplace fairness.

For employers, this isn't just about legal compliance. Employees are increasingly looking for openness, especially when it comes to pay and career progression.

Now is a good time to review your pay structures, hiring processes and policies. Being transparent can help build trust, improve employee engagement and make your business more attractive to candidates.

I’d recommend that you start preparing early, to be in a much stronger position when further changes arrive.

Pay rises expected to continue in 2027

New research has found that 83% of businesses expect to increase pay in 2027, with average wage increases forecast at 3.1%. The findings suggest employers are still competing for skilled workers, despite signs that hiring growth is slowing.

For small businesses, this creates a difficult balancing act. Rising costs are putting pressure on budgets, but your employees continue to expect competitive pay and benefits.

The good news? Salary isn't the only factor people consider when choosing where to work. Training opportunities and flexibility go a long way. And wellbeing support, perks and a positive workplace culture all help employers stand out too.

With recruitment challenges showing little sign of disappearing, now could be the right time to make sure your reward strategy meets employee expectations.

More than six in ten Irish employees now work remotely

Remote and hybrid working aren't going anywhere.

Recent figures show that more than six in ten employees in Ireland now work remotely for at least some of the week. At the same time, employers are continuing to navigate the rules around remote working requests and how best to manage flexible teams.

For many business owners, the conversation has moved beyond whether remote working is allowed. The real challenge is making sure policies are fair, consistent, and work for the needs of the business.

That's particularly important when dealing with requests from employees. While workers have the right to request remote working, employers still need clear processes in place for handling those requests and communicating decisions.

As flexible working becomes the norm rather than the exception, having a clear and up-to-date policy can help avoid confusion and support better working relationships across your team.

And that’s a wrap from me. Tune in next time for my take on the latest headlines and employment law stories, helping keep your business ahead!