Diversity and Inclusion: EQUAL-SALARY Certification

Equal pay and equal opportunities are fundamental human rights and strategic priorities for today's organisations.

Achieving EQUAL-SALARY certification allows organisations to demonstrate their commitment to gender equality by showing that they pay women and men equally and provide equal opportunities for career development. This certification not only promotes fairness, but also enhances the organisation's reputation and adds significant value.

Our sustainability experts have extensive experience in conducting the on-site audits that lead to the certification process. The EQUAL-SALARY certification is awarded by the EQUAL-SALARY Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation established in 2010 to monitor fair pay policies. Developed in collaboration with the University of Geneva and supported by the Swiss Confederation, this certification is based on a scientific approach.

The EQUAL-SALARY certification is designed for companies worldwide, across all industries, with 50 or more employees (including at least 10 women) who are committed to closing the wage gap.

Our approach with EQUAL-SALARY

EQUAL-SALARY is an internationally recognised Swiss certification based on ISO 9000 quality standards using a four-phase methodology.

Step 1

The statistical analysis is carried out by the EQUAL-SALARY Foundation, which collects salary data from the company in an anonymous and confidential manner. This data is analysed using a statistical regression model to assess the gender pay gap for equal work. To proceed to the next step, the pay difference must be ≤5% and the regression coefficient must be ≥90%. If discrepancies are found, a list of individual employees who are underpaid by more than 5% is provided to the company to allow them to explain the discrepancies and/or prepare a remediation plan.

Step 2

Once the analysis has been completed and the company has achieved a satisfactory result, Forvis Mazars is engaged to conduct the qualitative on-site audit. This phase includes a review of the questionnaire and an assessment of the documented list of individuals identified in step 1. It also includes a review of documentation to assess HR processes and policies. We assess management's commitment to fair pay for work of equal value and equal opportunities regardless of gender. In addition, we conduct interviews to gather employees' perceptions of the company's equal treatment practices.

Step 3

Based on the results of the audit conducted by Forvis Mazars, the EQUAL-SALARY Foundation decides whether to grant certification. Certified organisations are granted the right to use the "EQUAL-SALARY certified" logo for all internal and external communications and reports for a period of three years.

Step 4

During this time, the company must undergo two monitoring audits to follow up on any corrective actions taken based on the findings from the main audit in step 2. After three years, the certification process must be renewed to maintain the certification.

Our services in EQUAL-SALARY certification

Over the past few years, Forvis Mazars in Switzerland has built up a multidisciplinary team of consultants specialising in various certification audits in the field of sustainability. Leveraging this expertise, we are an accredited audit partner of the EQUAL-SALARY Foundation and are authorised to conduct audits leading to EQUAL-SALARY certification.

Our added value

By becoming an EQUAL-SALARY certified company, you demonstrate your commitment to equal pay and equal opportunities for women and men, and show your dedication to gender equality. Certification provides a key advantage in attracting and retaining top talent, while also enhancing your reputation among customers, investors, and suppliers.

By positioning your organisation as a leader in diversity and inclusion, you contribute to a fairer and more sustainable world. The certification process goes far beyond salary analysis; it demands a clear and sustained commitment from management and the implementation of efficient HR processes. This ensures continuous improvement in gender equality within your company and reinforces your commitment to creating a fair and inclusive workplace. The certification also allows you to gain valuable insight into opportunities for improvement across the organisation, driving overall growth and development.

Forvis Mazars leading by example

Forvis Mazars is proud to have received the EQUAL-SALARY certification for all its employees in Switzerland. With this, we find ourselves already in good company. An overview of companies that have already been certified can be found here.

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