High score for ABN AMRO in Equileap gender equality report

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Article tags:
  • Diversity and inclusion

ABN AMRO has come in third place in Equileap’s annual ranking of the 100 best-performing Dutch companies in terms of gender equality, making the bank the top financial institution in this area in the Netherlands. After signing the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, joining the Financial Alliance for Women and establishing the Inclusive Banking team, this is important recognition of the steps ABN AMRO is taking.

Criteria

Equileap ranks companies based on 19 criteria relating to gender equality, including abalanced ratio of men to women in the boardroom and on the work floor, equal pay and fair parental leave. These criteria are based on the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles.

Nicole Böttger, Head of Diversity & Inclusion: “We are very proud of this recognition from Equileap. ABN AMRO has been working hard for years to promote equal rights for men and women. Across the organisation, we are exploring where we can safeguard a fair and equal workplace and make improvements where necessary. I believe it is really important that we take the lead in this area – especially in the financial industry – and are recognised forthis so that we can make an even greater impact.”

Women at the top

ABN AMRO aims to place women in 35 percent of senior and upper middle management (or subtop) positions by 2025; the target for the level directly below the Executive Board is 45 percent. At present, women hold 29% of positions in the subtop and 30% in the top. ABN AMRO regularly investigates whether its male and female employees receive fair pay. It turns out that they earn the same within the same salary scale. Yet there is still inequality, as there are more men in higher salary scales and more women in lower scales. We also devote attention to female-friendly recruitment throughout the organisation. For example, by writinggender-sensitive vacancy texts – resulting in more responses from women – and having a man and a woman hold job application interviews together. Plus the bank pays full birth leave for partners and encourages employees to make use of this benefit.

Human rights conference on due diligence on women’s rights

Equileap focuses solely on gender equality at the workplace. At the same time, ABN AMRO believes it also has a responsibility to view its client service and supplier relationships through a gender lens. We want to use our newly established Inclusive Banking team to help us make our products and services more inclusive. We also look at gender equality in the supply chains of our business clients and this year’s International Human Rights Conference –organised by ABN AMRO – will be devoted entirely to due diligence on women’s rights.

Read Equileap’s report here.