Objectives
The objective of this Directive is to simplify, modernise and merge existing Community legislation in the area of equal treatment for men and women in employment and occupation.
Definitions
The Directive gives legal definitions for the terms "direct discrimination", "indirect discrimination", "harassment", "sexual harassment", "pay" and "occupational social security schemes".
Contents
The purpose of this Directive is to ensure the implementation of the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in matters of employment and occupation. To that end, it contains provisions to implement the principle of equal treatment in relation to access to employment, including promotion and vocational training, in relation to working conditions including pay, and in relation to occupational social security schemes. It also contains provisions to ensure that such implementation is made more effective by the establishment of appropriate procedures.
Specific provisions of the Directive prohibit explicitly any discrimination on grounds of sex with regards to pay, treatment in occupational social security schemes and access to employment, vocational training and promotion and working conditions.
Member States shall introduce into their national legal systems such measures as are necessary to ensure real and effective compensation or reparation for the loss and damage sustained by a person injured as a result of discrimination on grounds of sex and ensure the justiciability of discrimination.
Annexes
- Annex I: repealed directives and their amendments
- Annex II: correlation table on provisions of this Directive and the repealed acts
Read the full text of the Directive
National laws implementing this Directive
Further information: EU Commission Gender equality