Growens achieves the gender equality certification
At Growens, we firmly believe that equity and inclusion are not just corporate values but fundamental pillars for a fair and competitive work environment. For this reason, over the past year, we have diligently pursued the UNI/PdR 125:2022 gender equality certification, a milestone we are proud to share today.
What is the UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification?
Introduced by the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), the UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification is a reference practice that provides guidelines for implementing a gender equality management system within organizations. Its goal is to promote female empowerment, combat stereotypes in corporate settings, and ensure equal opportunities for professional growth.
This initiative aligns with a broader regulatory framework, in line with the European directive on pay transparency, which aims to reduce the gender pay gap to 5%. Currently, in Italy, the gender pay gap exceeds 10%, highlighting the importance of working towards fair compensation and career opportunities. The UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification thus serves as a concrete tool to align with European objectives and strengthen our corporate culture.
A journey of growth and awareness
Achieving this certification was not merely a formal exercise for Growens but an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The certification process led us to analyze and improve corporate policies and procedures in several key areas:
- Culture and Strategy: Reviewing communication methods and workflows to better integrate DEI principles.
- Governance: Introducing corporate policies dedicated to gender equality and defining clear processes for continuous monitoring and improvement.
- HR Processes: Reviewing recruitment and career development practices to eliminate bias and ensure equal career opportunities.
- Compensation and Pay Equity: Monitoring and addressing any disparities to ensure fair remuneration based on roles and competencies.
- Parenting and Work-Life Balance: Implementing more inclusive leave policies and initiatives to improve the balance between work and personal life.
The role of the Grow Committee
A key element in this journey was the work of the Grow Committee, our internal body dedicated to promoting DEI initiatives. In line with the UNI/PdR 125:2022 guidelines, the Grow Committee assumed the role of the Steering Committee and appointed a Gender Equality System Manager, a key figure responsible for monitoring progress and implementing effective strategies.
Through initiatives such as Equity Espressos, the Grow Empowerment Survey, and the introduction of new policies protecting diversity, the committee played a crucial role in raising awareness and engaging employees on equity and inclusion topics. Additionally, it actively contributed to data analysis, the development of a strategic plan, and the definition of corrective measures, strengthening its strategic and operational relevance. More information about these initiatives can be found in the latest Sustainability Report.
Certification timeline
Led by the People & Culture team in collaboration with the Grow Committee, the certification journey consisted of several phases:
- Analysis and Preparation (March – November 2024): Review of corporate policies and implementation of initial corrective measures.
- Preliminary Audit (November 2024): Verification of the alignment of corporate practices with required standards.
- Main Audit (December 2024): In-depth evaluation of the initiatives and processes implemented.
- Certification Achievement (December 2024): Official recognition of the company’s commitment to gender equality.
A continuous commitment to gender equality
Obtaining the UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification is not an endpoint but the beginning of an ongoing improvement journey. This certification requires a continuous commitment: over the next two years, Growens will not only monitor progress but also actively work to improve its score, demonstrating a concrete and lasting focus on gender equality.
The two annual audits scheduled will be key moments in this process: they will not only assess the effectiveness of the implemented actions but also provide opportunities to identify new areas for intervention and reinforce our commitment. For this reason, Growens does not see certification as a mere recognition but as an opportunity to build an increasingly fair, inclusive, and sustainable work environment.
