Gender Equality Certification
Contribution relief of up to EUR 50,000, higher scores in public tenders for services and supplies, and bonus points for the granting of State aid and public funding are only some of the benefits available to Italian companies and organisations that obtain workplace gender equality certification.
These advantages have been available since 1 January 2022. The certification, whose application standards were defined through the publication in the Official Gazette of the Prime Ministerial Decree of 29 April 2022, was originally introduced by Law No. 162/2021 on equal opportunities in the workplace.
The reform responded to the need not only to strengthen the protections already provided by the Equal Opportunities Code, Legislative Decree No. 198/2006, but also to address the growing phenomenon of the gender pay gap.
The legislation pursues these objectives through two main measures:
- Stricter sanctions for gender discrimination;
- The introduction of a certification system aimed at verifying the measures adopted by employers to eliminate gender inequality. Certification is mandatory for public and private companies with more than 50 employees and voluntary for all other organisations.
Ensuring socially responsible working conditions, promoting the continuous improvement of workplace standards, and guaranteeing equal opportunities for professional growth and equal pay represent the first steps towards building an inclusive working environment, in line with the principles of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The first reporting deadline was 30 September 2022, for submission of the 2020–2021 biennial report to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies. Subsequent reports must be submitted by 30 April of the year following the end of each two-year reporting period.
If an employer fails to comply with this obligation, sanctions and inspections by the National Labour Inspectorate may apply, as provided by specific ministerial decrees.
Any company may benefit from this new management tool, which offers favourable conditions for both internal and external stakeholders.
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