11.2 Establish a corporate-level equal employment opportunity (EEO) policy
Content
Description of Best Practices
Adopt an equal employment opportunity (EEO) policy statement at the board of directors/ownership level
Disclose board selection process, skills, and gender equality and D&I goals
Ensure that all relevant characteristics are included such as race, religion, color, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, genetic information, military status or disability and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Appoint HR or another organizational unit such as a gender equality and D&I department to implement EEO policy and other company gender equality and D&I policies, strategies, programs, and initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and dedicate necessary financial resources
Establish a multi-divisional gender equality and D&I committee comprised of women and men with diverse social identities to plan, oversee and support the implementation of gender equality and D&I initiatives with the gender equality and/or HR Departments
Create accountability by declaring specific targets and goals on gender equality and D&I and hold the company’s leaders accountable for achieving these goals over a defined timeframe
Challenges of Implementation
Stakeholders may lack commitment during EEO policy formulation and adoption
Unconscious bias exists within the company
What Success Looks Like
EEO policy is adopted and fully implemented through supporting processes, as detailed in this framework
Implemented training programs raise awareness of unconscious bias and build commitment to implementing policies and procedures that ensure gender equality and diversity
Gender equality and D&I is an ingrained part of corporate culture and institutionalized in all programs and activities
Resources and Tools
Guide: Integrating Gender into Workplace Policies (USAID)
Guide: Setting Strategic Gender Equality Targets (USAID)
Guide: Guidelines for Employment Equality Policies in Enterprises (Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission)
Tool: Sample EEO Policy (Employment Law Information Network)
Example: TATA Power-DDL Equal Opportunity Policy (TATA Power-DDL)
Example: Equal Employment Opportunity Reaffirmation Statement (Capital One Financial Corporation)
Report/Study (incl. Case Studies): Gender Diversity Journey: Company Good Practices (ILO)