Tractebel begins its gender equity journey with EDGE Assess certification.
Tractebel, the global engineering company delivering game-changing solutions for a carbon-neutral future, has become EDGE Assess certified, becoming the first organization within the multi-utilities industry to obtain a global EDGE Assess certification confirming its commitment to workplace gender equity.
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.
EDGE’s assessment has highlighted a certain number of common denominators but also important local specificities across the different countries of operation of the company. Tractebel France has a solid framework of policies and practices in equal pay for equivalent work and flexible working. Similarly, when it comes to inclusivity both male and female employees in Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany and India, perceive Tractebel to provide equal opportunities to be hired and they would also recommend it as an employer to both male and female friends to work for the organization.
Across countries of operation, employees of both genders believe that gender equity is important for the organization to remain competitive in the market. Furthermore, men and women are given equal access to leadership development opportunities, a crucial element needed for a journey towards gender equity in the workplace.
With their EDGE action plan, Tractebel aims to improve gender balance and inclusion across all levels of responsibility, through a focused approach in terms of hiring, promotion/development and retention rates across the pipeline.
Aniela Unguresan, Founder of EDGE Certified Foundation, says that EDGE Assess global certification marks a strong start: “Tractebel proudly joins the other companies of the ENGIE Group – ENGIE Brasil Participações and ENGIE Impact – which are currently certified at EDGE Assess level, on the EDGE accelerated path towards workplace gender equity. Their EDGE Certification will enable the company to successfully contribute to ENGIE Group’s Fifty-Fifty Programme, which aims to accelerate inclusion at the Group level and create the necessary conditions to achieve gender parity in managerial positions by 2030.”
“I am proud to announce that our Tractebel headquarters in five countries – Belgium, Brazil, Germany, India and France – have all passed the external audit by SGS to achieve the first of three levels to EDGE certification, EDGE Assess, which demonstrates commitment to gender equity in the workplace. This first level officially recognizes our commitment and will be followed by a concrete action plan to increase gender balance and inclusion across all levels of responsibility. Why are we pursuing EDGE certification? Because diversity, including gender equity, is crucial to the success of any organization. It creates a more innovative and productive workforce, bringing a proven competitive edge. It’s also an increasingly deciding factor among stakeholders, clients, current and potential employees and the public. But it’s not just about the bottom line. Most importantly, in 2022 there is simply no room or reason for inequality of any kind in the workplace, or anywhere else. Looking forward to continuing the journey to EDGE certification!” says Karen Goovaerts, Tractebel Chief Human Resources, QHSSE and Communications Officer.
ABOUT TRACTEBEL
Tractebel is a global engineering company delivering game-changing solutions for a carbon-neutral future. Insights gathered during our more than 150 years of experience in energy, urban, nuclear and water projects combined with local expertise allow us to tackle complex future-oriented projects.
By connecting strategy, design, engineering and project management, our community of 5,000 imaginative experts helps companies and public authorities create positive impact towards a sustainable world, where people, planet and profit collectively thrive. With offices in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, the company registered a turnover of 579 million Euros in 2021. Tractebel is part of the ENGIE Group, a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. www.tractebel-engie.com
ABOUT EDGE CERTIFICATION
EDGE is the leading global assessment and business certification for gender and intersectional equity. EDGE 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, statistical data is analysed, policies and practices are reviewed and employees’ experiences of career development opportunities in the current workplace are accounted for. Depending on the specific results of each organization, an action plan is formulated, and firm commitments towards its implementation.
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. A certification at the EDGE Assess level recognizes commitment, one at the EDGE Move level showcases progress and a certification at the EDGE Lead level celebrates success in fostering gender equitable workplaces. An EDGEplus certification further recognizing its commitment to analyzing intersectional issues between gender and one or several of the following additional dimensions: gender identity, race/ethnicity, LGBTQI+, working with a disability, nationality and age.
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 – SGS, Intertek or FloCert, it remains valid for a period of two years. EDGE’s current customer base consists of over 200 large organizations in 50 countries across five continents, representing 30 different industries.
