Orange signs a global Group agreement on workplace gender equality with UNI Global Union

On 17 July 2019, Orange signed a global agreement on workplace gender equality with UNI Global Union. This proactive and innovative agreement is the first of its kind amongst CAC 40 companies and the telecommunications sector.

Through this agreement, Orange underlines its firm commitment to workplace gender equality on a global scale. It follows on from two global agreements on fundamental rights and on health and safety signed in 2006 and 2014 respectively by the Orange Group and UNI Global Union. It covers all 149,000 Orange employees worldwide.

The agreement is flexible and can be suitably adapted to the countries where the Orange Group operates. The objective of the agreement is to support workplace gender equality and a positive work-life balance, and to combat discrimination and violence across the Group. This agreement is implemented through a participative initiative involving all stakeholders, including a structured social dialogue, notably with the creation of dedicated local committees. A shared review and the definition of action plans adapted to the local context will be tracked over time in collaboration with employee representatives, again reflecting Orange Group’s desire to implement a long-term initiative.

The agreement’s signatories are: Valérie Le Boulanger, Executive Director of Group Human Resources; Christine Albanel, Senior Executive Vice-President of Corporate Social Responsibility, Diversity, Partnerships and Philanthropy; Alke Boessiger, Deputy General Secretary of UNI Global Union; William Coker, Chair of the UNI Global Union-Orange Alliance (which brings together all union organisations that are members of the UNI Global Union within Orange); and representatives of French union organisations affiliated to UNI Global Union.

“I am delighted that our workplace equality policy is based on ambitious social dialogue, to sustainably reinforce our actions in Group countries to benefit the women and men at Orange,” stated Valérie Le Boulanger, Executive Director of Group Human Resources.

Christine Albanel, Senior Executive Vice-President of Corporate Social Responsibility, Diversity, Partnerships and Philanthropy, continued: “by making our commitment to workplace gender equality a global undertaking, this agreement marks a new milestone in the Group’s social and societal commitment.”