Dbam o Zdrowie Pharmacies certified to the Global Standard for Workplace Gender Equality
Pelion's subsidiary managing the Dbam o Zdrowie chain of pharmacies is the first company in Poland and in the wider CEE region to have been certified to the Global Standard for Workplace Gender Equality. The certification scheme is run by the Gender Equality Project (GEP) Foundation, operating at the World Economic Forum, which holds its annual meetings in Davos.
CEPD N.V., Pelion's subsidiary responsible for managing pharmacies in Poland and Lithuania, has joined the global community of companies committed to promoting gender workplace equality. A special project of the Swiss-based GEP Foundation, the initiative consists of a three-stage process to assess and thoroughly review companies' compliance with gender equality standards.
The Foundation aims to establish and foster best practices in closing the corporate gender gap throughout the world. With the certificate, CEPD N.V. has become the Foundation's first ambassador in Poland.
"The Gender Equality Project's certificate comes as a great honour, but most importantly it commits us to continue pursuing and promoting equal career opportunities for men and women. This is of particular relevance to our organisation, where women represent a vast majority of the workforce," says Jacek Szwajcowski, President of the Management Board of Pelion S.A.
As part of the three-stage certification procedure, the Dbam o Zdrowie chain's employment data for 2011 and 2012 was analysed. First, the data was forwarded for assessment by the Foundation. Secondly, an anonymous employee survey was run, with the results delivered to the auditing institution. Finally, an internal audit was carried out at the company's head office by the Foundation's auditor.
Jacek Szwajcowski believes that it is easier for companies who seek to bridge gender gaps in remuneration, training, advancement, and career development to build trust and satisfaction among employees.
"We think that by ensuring equal opportunities for women and men alike, we can draw on a larger pool of talent, and create and strengthen our reputation on the labour market", says Wojciech Lorenc, HR Executive Director at CEPD N.V.
Other companies certified to the EDGE global standard are Banco Compartamos Mexico, Deloitte Switzerland, IKEA Switzerland, and L’Oréal (in eight countries). Currently, the certification process is being carried out at several dozen companies.
The Foundation aims to establish and foster best practices in closing the corporate gender gap throughout the world. With the certificate, CEPD N.V. has become the Foundation's first ambassador in Poland.
"The Gender Equality Project's certificate comes as a great honour, but most importantly it commits us to continue pursuing and promoting equal career opportunities for men and women. This is of particular relevance to our organisation, where women represent a vast majority of the workforce," says Jacek Szwajcowski, President of the Management Board of Pelion S.A.
As part of the three-stage certification procedure, the Dbam o Zdrowie chain's employment data for 2011 and 2012 was analysed. First, the data was forwarded for assessment by the Foundation. Secondly, an anonymous employee survey was run, with the results delivered to the auditing institution. Finally, an internal audit was carried out at the company's head office by the Foundation's auditor.
Jacek Szwajcowski believes that it is easier for companies who seek to bridge gender gaps in remuneration, training, advancement, and career development to build trust and satisfaction among employees.
"We think that by ensuring equal opportunities for women and men alike, we can draw on a larger pool of talent, and create and strengthen our reputation on the labour market", says Wojciech Lorenc, HR Executive Director at CEPD N.V.
Other companies certified to the EDGE global standard are Banco Compartamos Mexico, Deloitte Switzerland, IKEA Switzerland, and L’Oréal (in eight countries). Currently, the certification process is being carried out at several dozen companies.
