Despite efforts to ensure equality in the workplace, on average women in the EU are paid 13 % less than men per hour.  

In Austria, companies can now receive free consultancy to help them close the gap, thanks to ‘100 Percent’, a project supported by the European Social Fund (ESF).  

‘100 Percent’ supports companies to design transparent remuneration systems, and to recognise and improve opportunities for women at work. As well as raising awareness of the gender pay gap, ‘100 Percent’ shows companies how making better use of the diversity of their workforce can promote innovation and resilience.  

Verena Sturm is the Manager of Lebenshilfe Trofaiach, a non-profit organisation that supports people with disabilities and took part in the project. She explains why she felt it was important for her to get involved in ‘100 Percent’.  

‘As natural as equality should be, a variety of internal and external hurdles are still experienced on a daily basis,’ she says. ‘It is therefore important to address equality again and again and at all levels.’  

The ‘100 Percent’ project was designed and developed by an Austria-wide working group of three large consulting companies. The consultation model is flexible to each company’s needs, and includes professional data analysis, developing action plans and support during implementation. Employees can get management advice, career counselling and other support. 

‘With the help of the ‘100 Percent’ experts, we were able to define concrete measures and anchor them in an equality strategy,’ continues Verena. ‘In doing so, we create more authenticity and attractiveness for our clientele and our employees. We recommend extending the ‘100 Percent’ project.’