Perfume organisation Firmenich has been awarded certification from assessment body Economic Dividends for Gender Equality (Edge), in recognition of its commitment to gender parity in the workplace.
The certification followed an assessment of data and processes, as well as a survey of the organisation’s 7,000 employees, based in 66 facilities worldwide.
Gilbert Ghostine (pictured), chief executive of Firmenich, said: "This outstanding recognition not only positions us as an employer of choice for the men and women that work for Firmenich, but it also makes us a trusted and reliable partner for our customers, as diverse teams consistently deliver superior results."
Firmenich earned the Edge 'assess' level of certification after a third-party evaluation of gender balance. This is the first of three tiers of Edge certification, awarded when an organisation is deemed to have made a public commitment to a strong gender balance across the talent pipeline, to pay equity, to a solid framework of gender equality policies and practices, and to an inclusive workplace culture as reflected by high engagement levels of both male and female employees.
The second level of Edge certification, 'move', is awarded when the organisation has already implemented a framework for change and achieved significant milestones, and the third level, 'lead', is awarded when the commitments have been achieved. The certification is granted for two years.
Mieke Van de Capelle, chief human resources officer at Firmenich, said: “I want Firmenich to be the best place to work in our industry globally. That’s why we pursued global Edge certification, supported by flexible work arrangements to ensure all our colleagues have an optimal work-life balance.
“Globally, our female colleagues represent 40% of our senior management and workforce. This recognition confirms we are making gender balance a priority, going far beyond equal pay. We will not stop here, as we remain determined to achieving the highest level of excellence in this area.”
