Gucci receives certification for gender equality in the company.
The certificate was awarded by the independent, international French certification company Bureau Veritas, Gucci announced on Monday. The Italian fashion house is the first major Italian luxury company to receive the award.
Gucci’s Global Equity Board, introduced in 2019, developed a three-year plan to promote gender equality. The panel, headed by Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri, is made up of executives and outside consultants.
Six indicators were evaluated for the certificate: corporate culture and strategy, corporate governance, human resources, equal pay, parenting support and work-life balance, and opportunities for the development and integration of women. The Bureau Veritas review praised the fashion house’s parental leave policy, benefits and hybrid working model.
The gender parity certification is part of Italy’s recovery and resilience plan, which the Italian government wants to use to make the country more sustainable, resilient and future-proof. The reforms and investments worth billions were decided in response to the economic and social crisis caused by the corona pandemic and are intended to promote the country’s recovery. One of the measures to strengthen social and economic resilience is the improvement of labor market policies and the participation of women and youth in the labor market.
“This achievement […] reaffirms our commitment to a culture that values equality, inclusivity and respect,” said Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri in the statement. “Through concrete measures such as introducing innovative technologies to reduce bias in the job application process, closing the gender pay gap, introducing leave policies for parents, promoting greater representation of women in managerial positions […] We support and encourage cultural change in the luxury and fashion industries worldwide, and we will continue to do so.”
Gucci also released its ‘Equilibrium Impact Report 2022’ on Monday. In the report, the fashion house presents its sustainability efforts and goals.