Most Companies Have Yet to Implement Pay Transparency
As new legal requirements expand, a vast majority of businesses are still in the process of building their pay disclosure systems.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Employment
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A survey of 1,000 companies conducted in 2026 revealed that only 11 percent have fully implemented pay transparency systems. This leaves the vast majority of employers still working to formalize how they share salary and remuneration information with their workforce.
Why it matters
Employees are increasingly demanding greater clarity on pay structures, which is forcing companies to adapt their internal policies. This shift is being accelerated by new legislation in 18 U.S. states and evolving requirements within the European Union.
While 82 percent of surveyed firms are currently constructing pay transparency systems, only 5 percent have finished necessary equity remediation procedures. One third of companies have not yet conducted the analysis required to resolve pay discrepancies.
The players
Aon
A professional services firm that provides data, risk, and health solutions to global employers.
The details
Companies are establishing these programs by defining pay decision logic, creating manager capability, and implementing response processes. These frameworks serve as the governance structure needed to support salary decisions at scale. Despite this work, 20 percent of participants report they have never utilized remediation procedures to address employee inquiries about pay.
Timeline
2026: Aon conducted the Pay Transparency Pulse Survey.
Money Landscape
The push for pay transparency represents a major shift from historical norms where salary ranges were rarely disclosed to employees. This development follows a pattern set by the European Union's pay transparency directives and new state laws that now mandate greater disclosure.
If you are evaluating your own compensation, you may find that your employer's systems for justifying pay decisions are still in development. You should speak with a qualified financial or tax professional to help evaluate your total remuneration package as these new transparency standards evolve.
The takeaway
Pay transparency is currently an evolving work-in-progress for most global employers, even as legal requirements continue to rise. Tracking your industry's disclosure policies can help you better understand your own compensation and the potential for equity-based adjustments.
Further reading
Learn more about labor market shifts and compensation trends in our Employment section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Inc..
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Do you believe companies should be legally required to fully disclose how they determine employee pay?
