{
  "id": 3051489,
  "title": "Drive for salary transparency ‘not solely a top-down agenda’, finds report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/drive-for-salary-transparency-not-solely-a-top-down-agenda-finds",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-24T15:01:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Silicon Republic",
    "slug": "silicon-republic",
    "url": "https://www.siliconrepublic.com/careers/salary-transparency-not-solely-top-down-agenda-report-robert-walters"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study conducted by recruitment agency Robert Walters has revealed that Gen Z employees are more open about discussing salary transparency in the workplace, challenging the notion that this push for openness is solely a top-down initiative. The EU Pay Transparency Directive, which came into effect in early June, mandates employers to provide new guidelines on pay discussions and information sharing, requiring job applicants to be informed about initial pay or pay ranges and ensuring non-discriminatory job vacancy notices.\n\nRobert Walters' research, which surveyed 1,000 Irish employees aged 18 and above in June and July, found that 54% of Gen Z professionals are actively disputing existing workplace taboos and openly discussing their salaries with colleagues. This suggests that the drive for salary transparency is not limited to organizational leaders, but rather is being championed by younger generations who advocate for openness and transparency in pay discussions.\n\nSuzanne Feeney, the country manager for Ireland at Robert Walters, noted that while policy changes are mandating organizations to disclose salary data publicly, younger employees are increasingly taking the lead in challenging traditional attitudes of discretion and confidentiality. Only 29% of professionals aged 45 and above openly discussed financial matters, compared to 41% who found the topic too personal to address.\n\nThe report indicated that Gen Z professionals are more likely to discuss salary with close colleagues (32%) or in reciprocal situations (22%). When it comes to discussing salary, younger employees tend to feel more comfortable if it is done with a close colleague or when the sharing of information is mutual. Feeney emphasized that while leadership plays a critical role in setting the tone for appropriate salary discussions, professionals should prioritize fairness and inclusivity in these conversations.\n\nHowever, not all age groups are equally open to discussing salary. The study found that only 38% of Gen Z participants felt there were no barriers preventing them from openly discussing their salary, compared to 41% who believed it was too personal a matter. As Irish workplaces adopt the EU Pay Transparency Directive, professionals will have more autonomy in requesting information about their own pay and average pay levels within their organization.",
  "summary": "More than half of Gen Z employees were found to be more open about pay transparency in the workplace. Read more: Drive for salary transparency ‘not solely a top-down agenda’, finds report",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}