The transparency of charges: Unclear added value for equal charges

In this context, the present contribution critically examines the initial finding of indirect pay discrimination. Firstly, the pay gap (unadjusted and adjusted) cannot be interpreted as quantitative evidence of a pay discrimination. In addition, an analysis of the causes of the pay gap and considering the incentive structures of enterprises leave practically no room for structural pay discrimination. Secondly, the causal effects of wage transparency on the pay gap of women and men have not yet been sufficiently researched. It is therefore largely open to what extent the pay gap can be reduced by transparency regulations. Potentially negative consequences for companies that may arise as a result of the increased transparency of salaries within the companies have hardly been or are hardly discussed.

Finally, the evaluation report makes clear that a relatively high proportion of employees already exchange information on wage and salary issues and that there is currently little interest a request for information. Despite the limited data available, such a request is claimed by women and men equally and is predominantly aimed at obtaining information about one’s own value for the company. In the future, a significantly higher proportion of employees can imagine making use of the right to information, but there appears to be a similar motivation. It is therefore questionable whether and to what extent the right to information can at all provide an impulse to reduce the (adjusted) pay gap. Moreover, the evaluation report shows that the vast majority of companies subject to management reporting requirements have already implemented or are planning to implement the existing reporting obligation on the issues of gender equality and equal pay.

Overall, the EntgTranspG and in particular the individual right to information in companies with more than 200 employees is currently proving to be a bureaucratic act with no discernible added value. Due to the short period of time since the introduction of the law, it is still unclear whether or to what extent a quantitative reduction of the (adjusted) gender pay gap in the target group has been caused by the law. Therefore, in essence, no further adjustments should be made to the EntgTranspG. In addition, a fundamental revision of whether the law and the individual entitlement to disclosure may be appropriate would be desireable in the future– especially to check whether the instruments can contribute to the objectives of the law. When assessing the effectiveness of the Act, it would also be useful not only to investigate the extent to which a causal reduction in the (adjusted) pay gap can be proved, but also to consider the (negative) consequences for the companies that may have occurred.