Salary transparency, parent support, managerial skills & active candidate market

Salary transparency, parent support, managerial skills & active candidate market

Welcome to this new edition of the Profile Group newsletter. Today, we're sharing 4 essential HR topics you need to keep in mind to not only attract but also retain top talent

These tips and insights will help you strengthen your value proposition for both your candidates and employees. Let’s dive in!

What's on the agenda:

  • Salary transparency, soon to be a legal requirement 💸   
  • How to support parents at work 👨👩👧👦   
  • Hiring the right manager – a lottery? 🎰 
  • The active candidate market is waiting for you... 📣


Salary transparency: soon to be a legal requirement 💸

The new European directive on pay transparency is a real game-changer for the workplace. By addressing the gender pay gap, it mandates salary transparency starting in 2026. Say goodbye to salary ambiguity! From now on, candidates will know what to expect right from the job offer, and employers will need to justify any pay gaps exceeding 5% (source: SD Worx). 

  • Clarity from the start: Job offers must include clear information on starting salary or salary ranges (as we’ve already discussed in our practical guide to an attractive job offer).
  • Equal footing in negotiation: Candidates can no longer be asked about their previous salaries, leveling the playing field. This strengthens their position in negotiations and eliminates biases based on prior earnings.
  • Building trust: By openly sharing your salary policy, you establish trust with candidates.
  • Boosting your employer brand: Companies that showcase their commitment to pay equity naturally attract candidates who value working for ethical employers.
  • Reducing misunderstandings: Being clear about compensation and salary progression criteria minimizes potential misunderstandings post-hire.  

This legislation isn't just a legal requirement; it’s an opportunity to transform your recruitment approach. By integrating salary transparency into your practices, you're laying the groundwork for a fairer, more efficient, and attractive hiring process. Take the lead and make transparency your new asset! 

PS: Salary is the number #1 criterion for choosing one company over another according to 65% of respondents to a Robert Half study (“Ce que veulent les candidats”, April 2024).

👉 Discover the practical guide to an attractive job offer.


How to support parents at work? 👨👩👧👦

In Belgium, companies offer legal provisions to support parents, such as maternity, paternity, co-parenting, and parental leave. Additional measures like time credit allow parents to step back and care for their children. However, these measures are often insufficient to truly balance work and personal life.

What about the consequences? 

Despite these policies, the reality is often more complex. Women still bear most of the parental responsibilities, leading to mental load, career setbacks, and slowed professional progression. And what about dads? Their role is still often underestimated, with shorter paternity leave

Initiatives to support parents 

To truly support parents and restore balance, companies can go further. Here are some ideas: 

  • Flexible hours and a 4-day workweek, giving parents more freedom. 
  • Extended remote work, offering more daily flexibility.
  • On-site childcare or reserved spots in daycares, simplifying life for parents and reducing mental load.
  • Gradual return after maternity or paternity leave, for a smoother transition.
  • Equal parental leave with 100% pay, valuing the roles of both mothers and fathers, as well as same-sex parents, without salary loss.
  • Manager training, to encourage understanding and flexibility in managing teams with parents.
  • Employee assistance programs, providing psychological support or practical services. 

These initiatives not only enhance employee well-being but also boost their performance. And that's not all: by taking care of your employees, your company stands out and becomes more attractive to top talent. 

The result: A stronger Employee Value Proposition. Not familiar with the term? 

👉 Discover the Employee Value Proposition


Hiring the right Manager – a lottery? 🎰 

Being a good manager is tough... And finding one is just as challenging! 

Often, when recruiting executives, companies focus so much on technical skills that they overlook the essential: managerial competencies

Too often, management is seen as the only valid career progression, the professional Holy Grail. But having technical skills is not enough to become a manager. It’s a very different role. 

At Profile Group, we firmly believe in the importance of thoroughly assessing leadership and team management skills. That's why we include an in-depth evaluation of managerial competencies in all our Executive recruitments. This way, there are no unpleasant surprises once your manager is in place! 

Looking for your next leader? Let's discuss: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0d9nWt0


Webinar - How active candidates can save you time, money and boost your hire quality 📣

Traditionally, job seekers were classified either as “active” (actively searching for a job) or “passive” (not seeking a job). However, in today’s age, this distinction is not that clear anymore. 

Technology advancements and evolving candidate behaviors have blurred the lines between “active” and “passive” job seekers, impacting how you should define your recruitment strategy.

That’s why we invite you to our exclusive webinar “How the active candidate market can help you save time, money and your hire quality”, developed in collaboration with Stepstone, one of the leading Belgian job boards.

Register to the webinar:


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