Holcim Switzerland, one of the leading manufacturers of building materials in Switzerland, has obtained EDGE Move certification – further evidence of the steps the organization has taken towards achieving gender equity and the impact it can already demonstrate.
EDGE is the leading global assessment and business certification for gender and intersectional equity. Certification involves a rigorous third-party review of representation across the pipeline, pay equity, effectiveness of policies and practices, and inclusiveness of an organization’s culture. As an integral part of the assessment, employees receive a comprehensive survey to assess perceptions of career development opportunities in the workplace.
Two years on from being certified to EDGE Assess, the initial independent validation and benchmark of an organization’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I), Holcim Switzerland is now able to showcase the progress made to reach the EDGE global standard in certain critical areas including policies, practices and pay.
EDGE certification identifies Holcim Switzerland as a company that is attractive to employees, investors, and business partners because of its strong commitment to equity in recruitment, employee development and engagement. Holcim Switzerland believes that diversity is a key success factor for its company; it promotes a culture of inclusion and fair opportunities.
Holcim Switzerland’s framework of policies has been upgraded across all areas and the analysis found that perceptions have improved on most survey questions since the initial assessment. In retaining the EDGE Move status, the organization will be continuing its journey with further work around yearly gender pay gap assessments, expanding the current mentoring programme and ensuring that systematic practices are in place to guarantee that maternity and paternity leave does not negatively impact employee’s career development opportunities in the future, either.
“We believe that diversity and equal opportunities are vital for a high-performing and future-oriented organization like ours. The EDGE re-certification on the next level, MOVE, is an additional incentive for us. We continue to drive initiatives sustainably and boost our efforts with respect to equality in the workplace and an inclusive corporate culture” says Mark Trösch, Head People and Culture at Holcim Switzerland.
Aniela Unguresan, Founder of EDGE Certified Foundation, says Holcim Switzerland is to be congratulated on the progress it has made to date: “For Holcim Switzerland fostering a gender-balanced, diverse and inclusive workplace is a critical mission. We are impressed with the progress they have made in the past two years from the first level of Certification – EDGE Assess – to the second level of certification – EDGE Move – by strengthening their policies and practices to ensure equitable recruitment and promotion processes, equitable access to leadership development, training and mentoring as well as a culture of workplace flexibility. In addition, Holcim Switzerland has now established a very robust process for proactively managing gender pay equity and ensure that the principle of equal pay for equivalent work is rigorously upheld. EDGE is committed to helping companies every step of the way and we look forward to continuing our work with Holcim Switzerland towards the third level of certification – EDGE Lead.”
ABOUT EDGE STRATEGY
EDGE is the leading global assessment and business certification for gender and intersectional equity. Certification involves a rigorous third-party review of representation across the pipeline, pay equity, effectiveness of policies and practices, and inclusiveness of an organisation’s culture. As an integral part of the assessment, statistical data is analysed, policies and practices are reviewed and employees receive a comprehensive survey to assess their experience in terms of career development opportunities in the current workplace. 200 large organizations in 50 countries across five continents, representing 30 different industries.
EDGE Certification meets organizations where they are in their gender balance journey (EDGE) and in their intersectional equity journey (EDGEplus) through its three levels of certification: Assess, Move and Lead. There is no pass or fail, just commitment to transparency and accountability for progress.
EDGE Certification is built around the independent third-party certification of data and information and is distinguished by its rigour and focus on impact Granted by one of the EDGE accredited independent third-party certification bodies, it remains valid for a period of two years.
ABOUT HOLCIM SWITZERLAND
Holcim (Schweiz) AG is one of Switzerland’s leading manufacturers of building materials and a subsidiary of the globally active Holcim Ltd. Its core business includes the production of concrete, gravel and cement as well as related services. The company employs around 1200 people at 55 locations and has three cement plants, 16 gravel plants and 36 concrete plants. This local anchoring makes it possible to respond quickly, flexibly and individually to different needs and to develop tailored solutions for the building construction, civil engineering and infrastructure sectors.
