In honor of International Women’s Day 2017, Schneider Electric reaffirmed their commitment to actively promote gender diversity within their company.
Schneider Electric develops connected technologies and solutions to manage energy and processes in ways that are safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable. However, technology and energy are not their only concerns. Over the past couple of years, they have taken initiative to have their company encompass a more diverse and inclusive environment.
Jean-Pascal Tricoire, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Schneider Electric, announced, “I’m proud to celebrate International Women’s Day with our customers, partners, and employees around the world. This is an important day to highlight gender diversity and equality and to recognize the significant achievements to date of women while acknowledging the challenging journey ahead.”
In order to successfully provide equal opportunities to everyone, Schneider Electric has undertaken a business-wide transformation in developing a proactive strategy to include women at every level of the organization. The company stands by four main pillars: commitment by leaders, pro-women initiatives, change management campaigns, and the alignment of inclusive human resource practices, including the creation of a pay equity barometer to eliminate any distinction between men and women in the company’s processes.
These are not just statements. Schneider Electric has turned these bold words into even stronger actions. In 2015, Schneider Electric created its Women’s Advisory Board, sponsored directly by the company’s Executive Committee. It is composed of ten top leaders from the three main Schneider Electric geographies.
In regards to the Women’s Advisory Board, on their website it is found that, “This think tank suggests new initiatives to lead the company toward parity and a culture that is more sensitive to gender diversity. In addition to the Women’s Advisory Board, women represent 41 percent of the members on Schneider Electric’s Board of Directors.”
They have also adopted The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) which is an initiative of UN Women and the UN Global Compact. The principles include seven steps for businesses offering guidance on creating an equal space for women in the workplace, marketplace, and community. By doing this, they are not only creating positive change within their company, but also setting an example for companies all over the world as a strong,
successful workplace.
Additionally, Schneider Electric is a HeForShe IMPACT 10X10X10 champion. This signifies that they are one of ten corporate champions for the United Nations’ HeForShe global solidarity movement. HeForShe has a mission to “create a bold, visible force for gender equality. And it starts by taking action right now to create a gender equal world.”
Tricoire proudly affirms, “At Schneider Electric, we value and empower all diversities. Our ambition is to be the most diverse and inclusive company in the world, providing equal opportunities to everyone everywhere.”
These efforts have not gone unnoticed. In March 2015, Tricoire was awarded with the WEPs CEO Leadership Award in the Business Case for Action category for its “Diversity and Inclusion” policy.
Keep it up Schneider Electric. These are the steps moving forward that will make a difference in the workforce for men and women in the creation of successful and diverse environments.
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