Advocating for gender equality as a resource for companies.
The Riviera law firm manages the complete process of acquiring gender equality certification.This certification is an essential rewarding tool for companies that perform to overcome the gender gap in the workplace. The gender gap, to the disadvantage of women, affects the entire development of the employment relationship, from access to employment to the termination of the relationship. This situation can be seen, for instance:
– in the employee hiring process
– in the more challenging career progression;
– in the more significant effort encountered by women in reaching leading positions;
– in the lower salary paid to women compared to their male colleagues for the same tasks;
– in the many barriers preventing a proper balance between their personal and professional lives
Law No. 162 of 5th November 2021 introduces Article 46 bis and the certification of gender equality. This certification aims to foster inclusion and fight gender diversity in the work environment.
This certification is meant to testify to the concrete policies and measures adopted by employers to reduce the gender gap concerning career progression opportunities within the company, equal salary for equal work, gender equality management policies, and maternity protection. This certification enables the beneficial company to obtain major benefits.
In this regard, companies with the gender equality certification on 31st December of the year previous to the reference year are allowed reductions in social security contributions up to 1% of the total contributions due and up to € 50,000 per year for each company.
Moreover, companies owning the aforesaid certification have a reward score by authorities holding national and regional European funds. They can benefit from project proposals intended for receiving government aid to co-finance the investments undertaken.
In addition, there is a 30% reduction in the suretyship for participating in public tenders and better placement in tenders for the purchase of services and supplies.