L’Oréal scoops gender equality recognition

The second edition of the “Grands Prix de la Mixité” by Ethics & Boards Observatory and the Institute for Responsible Capitalism (also known as the "Zimmermann Index") has recognized L'Oréal as number one among French CAC 40 companies for its efforts in gender equal recruitment.

This ranking was marked by the increase in the number of women among the top 100 executives of L’Oréal, says the company.

"Gender diversity, like any form of diversity, has always been a strategic priority for L'Oréal because it is a source of innovation and acceleration of performance in the company,​” said Jean-Paul AGON, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of L’Oréal.

“This Grand Prix rewards a proactive policy initiated more than 15 years ago and whose objective is to achieve parity at all levels of the organization.”​

Women represent 69% of L’Oréal’s 82,600 employees worldwide, 33.3% of its Executive Committee and 46% of its Board of Directors.

The “Grands Prix de la Mixité” are in line with the Copé-Zimmermann Act which aims to establish an objective and independent measure of gender diversity at board and executive level of SBF 120 companies

More equal pay​

While the company clearly has more to do in making its executive committee more equal, it seems to be making progress with equality issues. This is seen in its efforts with the gender pay gap.

In France, where the Group has worked with the French national institute for demographic studies (INED) to analyse the pay gap since 2007, the gender-based pay gap on a like-for-like basis was under 3% in 2017 for management, and nonexistent for other employee categories.

In recognition of its progress in workplace gender equality, L’Oréal has received both the GEEIS (Gender Equality European and International Standard) and EDGE (The Global Business Certification Standard for Gender Equality) certifications in 30 countries.