Arcadis consolidated payroll data from 36,000 employees across 40 countries into a central people analytics platform, standardising definitions of wages, benefits and headcount to ensure alignment with ESRS S1‑10 Adequate Wages benchmarks. The team integrated external benchmarking data from ILO and EU living‑wage sources, applying a gap‑analysis methodology to identify underpaid roles and inform remediation plans. Robust documentation of definitions, processes and data flows supported limited‑assurance audits and enabled the first CSRD sustainability statement for Arcadis, elevating HR’s strategic role and securing C‑suite endorsement.

• Introduction to CSRD and ESRS S1‑10 Adequate Wages.

• Standardising and collating multi‑country payroll data for CSRD.

• Sourcing and integrating external benchmarking data (ILO, EU living wages).

• Aligning wage definitions with auditors’ requirements.

• Building a people analytics architecture for sustainability reporting.

• Delivering the CSRD sustainability statement and measuring impact.

• Lessons learned and pitfalls to avoid.

• Understand how to standardise and integrate payroll data across regions.

• Apply a gap‑analysis methodology to assess wage adequacy.

• Define and validate Adequate Wage metrics for limited‑assurance audits.

• Leverage people analytics platforms to automate CSRD reporting workflows.

• Engage finance, sustainability and legal teams to secure C‑suite buy‑in.

• Measure and communicate the business impact of CSRD compliance on retention and reputation.