UK's 'Say What You Pay' Law: A Wake-Up Call for EU Startups?

Jan de Vries · 2026-11-06

Ever applied for a job and had no clue what it paid? You're not alone. The UK is rolling out a new 'say what you pay' law that forces employers to publish salaries in job adverts. And while it's a UK move, it's sending ripples across Europe—especially for startups in the EU Inc space. ### What's the Big Idea? The plan is simple: if you're hiring, you have to show the salary. No more vague 'competitive' or 'depending on experience.' The goal? Improve transparency, help jobseekers make informed choices, and tackle pay discrimination. It's a bold step, and it's got everyone talking—from HR departments to startup founders. ### Why EU Startups Should Care If you're building a startup in Europe, this might feel like a distant problem. But think about it: transparency is spreading. The EU Inc proposal—which aims to make it easier for startups to incorporate and scale across borders—could soon include similar pay transparency rules. After all, if the UK does it, the EU might follow suit. And let's be real: startups thrive on talent. If you can't attract the best because your salaries are a mystery, you're already behind. Plus, with the EU Inc proposal pushing for a more unified European startup ecosystem, transparent pay could become a norm, not an exception. ### The Startup Perspective I get it—salary transparency can be scary. You worry about competitors poaching your people or employees demanding raises. But here's the thing: hiding salaries often creates more problems than it solves. It breeds distrust and can lead to unfair pay gaps. And in a tight talent market, being open about pay can actually be a selling point. > "Transparency isn't just about compliance; it's about building trust. And trust is the currency of every successful startup." That quote? It's from a founder I spoke to recently who's already publishing salaries in job ads. She said it's helped her attract candidates who are genuinely interested, not just fishing for offers. ### What This Means for You If you're running a startup in Europe, here's what you should do: - **Audit your pay scales**: Make sure you're paying fairly across genders and roles. You don't want surprises when new laws kick in. - **Start small**: Try adding salary ranges to one or two job ads. See how candidates respond. - **Communicate**: Talk to your team about why transparency matters. Get their buy-in. - **Stay informed**: Keep an eye on the EU Inc proposal and any pay transparency directives coming down the pipeline. ### The Bottom Line The UK's 'say what you pay' law is more than just a UK story. It's a sign of things to come. For EU startups, it's a chance to get ahead of the curve. Embrace transparency, and you'll not only comply with future rules but also build a stronger, more trusting team. And who knows? You might just find that being open about pay makes hiring a whole lot easier.