The organization progresses in workplace gender equity with EDGE Move certification
Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS), part of the SSR group, has obtained EDGE Move certification, showcasing significant progress towards a gender-equitable workplace since its last certification in 2020.
EDGE is the leading global assessment and business certification for gender and intersectional equity. The certification process 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, statistical data is analysed, policies and practices are reviewed, and employees receive a comprehensive survey to assess perceptions of career development opportunities in the workplace.
In line with its commitment after their first EDGE Assess Certification in 2020, RTS made significant improvements when it comes to representation, with the share of women at the top management level increasing from 17% to 43%. The framework of policies and practices has been strengthened, in the areas of recruitment and promotion, leadership development training, and flexible working practices. Indeed, 88% of male and female employees consider their immediate manager to be flexible in case of personal contingency. EDGE’s assessment also showed how RTS’s pay equity results meet the EDGE Standard.
These steps have contributed to RTS’s eligibility for the EDGE Move level of certification.
As part of its EDGE action plan, the organization will continue providing gender bias awareness training for all recruitment staff and increasing the transparency of promotion processes and criteria. During the next three years, RTS aims to grow the proportion of female managers at all levels from 30% to 40% percent. As its detailed action plan is rolled-out, mentoring programs for both men and women will be introduced and measured to understand how they influence new promotions. Its zero-tolerance policies for sexual harassment and discrimination will continue to be enforced.
“I am particularly pleased with this new certification which recognizes that our efforts are going in the right direction and that RTS is an increasingly equal and inclusive company” – says Pascal Crittin, RTS Director.
Aniela Unguresan, Founder of EDGE Certified Foundation, says: “Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) has made tremendous progress over the last two years and we are thrilled it has obtained EDGE Move certification. RTS is demonstrating the progress that can be made when an organization has clear intentions to implement change and underpins this with a framework of strong policies and practices. Not only has the share of women at top management level at RTS increased from 17% to 43%, but the representation at junior, middle, upper and top management is now above 30% for both genders.”
The media plays a vital role in society; it raises public awareness and provides information that shapes public attitudes and opinions. By publicly demonstrating its commitment and progress to greater gender equity in the workplace with EDGE Move certification, RTS is playing a leading, transformative role in advancing gender equity in the media industry and Swiss society.
