Concrete commitment to breaking down gender stereotypes and promoting equal opportunities in the workplace: this is the choice of companies – also in the Italian systems integration market – that have obtained gender equality certification.
Gender equality certification: this is certainly nothing new, but it is worth talking about to understand a trend of inclusion, empowerment and welfare that is increasingly relevant for Italian companies and female workers. The UNI/PdR 125:2022, introduced as part of the Italian Pnrr, in fact defines guidelines on the management system for gender equality. The practice envisages the adoption of specific KPIs that enable measurement, reporting and evaluation of gender equality data in companies. Based on 6 areas: culture and strategy, governance, HR processes, opportunities for growth and inclusion, gender pay equity, parental support and work-life balance.
The objectives of the certification, which also enables reliefs for companies that adhere to it, are not ‘punitive’, as is often the case with labour legislation. Rather, they aim to foster strategic paths that make companies more inclusive and sustainable (not only in terms of pay gap) on the one hand, and attractive and efficient on the other.
Examples of equity
Apart from the resulting economic and marketing advantages, a company that takes steps to obtain certification puts in place mechanisms of organisational innovation. Innovation that entails a ‘cultural’ and operational overhaul that is not easy, but which offers great opportunities in the creation of value. Among the more than 2,000 companies that have already taken advantage of this opportunity are two from the smart building world: Gewiss and Ave.
“The IMQ inspectors perceived the energy that Gewiss invests daily to improve its performance also in terms of the working environment,” explains Laura Onorati, QHSE & Sustainability manager of the company. “The certification represents a further stimulus to continuous improvement, to renew Gewiss’ growth and development. A result made possible thanks to the synergic work of the different company functions“. Again, with the aim of fostering a fair and respectful corporate culture, Ave can also boast the UNI/PDR 125:2022 certificate, also issued by IMQ. “A testament to the work done by the entire team to create an inclusive work environment,” comments CEO Emanuele Belli. “We firmly believe that everyone, regardless of gender, should have the same opportunities for professional growth and development.”
