Pay progression · Art. 6

How people move through a band.

Once jobs are graded and bands exist, the question is how individuals move within a band. Primary lever: placement via job evaluation (Art. 4). Secondary lever: development within the band (Art. 6).

Three tests every progression rule must pass

Art. 6 · EUR-Lex

Test	Question	✓ Passes	✕ Fails
Explainability	Can I state the reason clearly?	“+3.5% because compa-ratio 0.92 and rating 3 → matrix cell C2”	“Market pressure was high this year”
Consistency	Would another manager reach the same result with the same data?	Step increase after documented qualification	Budget distributed by feel
Neutrality	Is the criterion gender-neutral in effect, not just in intent?	Demonstrated mastery against the role profile	Pure calendar time (parental leave and part-time effects)

The CJEU (Cadman, C-17/05) accepts length of service in principle but requires justification when there are serious doubts. The neutrality test puts that into practice.

Seven ways to move people through a band — from 01 Informed discretion to 07 Person-job fit.

The seven models

Two edge cases

Single rate per grade

Maximum consistency, no differentiation at all.

Differentiating only through bonus

Moves the problem, doesn't solve it — variable pay is part of the Directive's pay definition (Art. 3).