Aviva France has committed to a social responsibility initiative in line with the corporate social responsibility policy of the Aviva plc. Under this initiative, Aviva France signed the Diversity Charter in 2007. In line with this and with existing legislative and regulatory provisions, Aviva signed an agreement on professional equality between men and women on 10 October 2008.
Aviva France has committed to a social responsibility initiative in line with the corporate social responsibility policy of the Aviva plc. Under this initiative, Aviva France signed the Diversity Charter in 2007. In line with this and with existing legislative and regulatory provisions, Aviva signed an agreement on professional equality between men and women on 10 October 2008. The agreement fully reaffirms existing non-discrimination mechanisms within Aviva France's UES (economic and social unity) policy, helping to promote or maintain professional equality between the sexes, and also introduces new provisions:
i - A mechanism to quantify and reduce unjustified salary gaps
A gross budget of €150,000/year over three years has been allocated to start work on removing the principal unjustified salary gaps. In order to correct any gaps of this kind, a comparison has been carried out between the median salaries for women and men in the same position. For individual gaps greater than 10%, an in-depth analysis of the situation in the workforce is carried out every year. It takes account of all relevant criteria needed to assess the comparison of workers with the same job title (seniority within the group and the job itself, duties actually carried out, etc). The corrective measures may be applied all at once (obligatory in the case of female staff members aged over 55) or in several stages over the duration of the agreement. This initiative will apply to all women, whether they work part time or full time (not including female sales staff paid on a commission basis).
Under this initiative, the first salary measures were implemented in October 2008.
ii - Compatibility between working hours and family life
Aviva France reaffirms its commitment to a working organisation which allows a reconciliation between the obligations of personal and professional life, and undertakes to plan meetings far enough in advance and at times which are compatible with family life.
Aviva France reiterates that becoming a mother should by no means have any impact on a woman's professional situation. To this end, and in line with official practice since 2008, anybody away from work as a result of maternity or adoption leave during the salary increase operations at the end of the year will receive a salary "catch-up" once they return to work.
iii - Vocational training, a driving force behind equal opportunities
Aviva France, which spent more than 5.6% on average of its wage bill on training in 2007, guarantees the equality of access for male and female workers to vocational training courses. Vocational training is a key factor in developing equal opportunities within career development, both for developing employees' own skills and in the legitimate service of the company. Aviva France pledges to guarantee female employees access to managerial training and training for specific qualifications, and will take account of parenthood. Aviva France will continue its commitment to offer all of its workers the option to change job as part of their professional mobility and will continue to promote careers for women, as it has done for several years.
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Press contacts:
Anne Perthuis
Telephone: + 33 (0) 1 47 04 19 49
E-mail: aperthuis@agencezap.com
Isabelle Solal-Céligny
Telephone: + 33 (0) 1 47 04 19 47
E-mail: isolal@agencezap.com
Notes to editors:
About Aviva
Aviva is Europe's leading provider of life assurance and pensions savings with strong positions on other markets around the world. Based on gross premiums at 31 December 2007, Aviva was the world's fifth-largest insurance group. Aviva's three principal businesses are life assurance and long-term savings, asset management and non-life insurance, with a total turnover of €56.7 billion in 2007 and €455 billion in assets under management at 30 June 2008.
With more than 150 years' experience in France, Aviva is one of the top 10 players in the insurance market. Aviva France stands out from the crowd with its solid, balanced and profitable multi-distribution model: 875 general agents, 1,800 branch staff, 400 life advisers and 1,000+ brokers. Aviva France also has major partners such as AFER, the largest savings association in France, the Crédit du Nord group, l'Union Financière de France and Médéric. Specialising in unit-linked products, Aviva is recognised for the excellent performance of its long-term funds and solid commitment to its customers through its "Good Advice" approach. Aviva employs more than 3,300 staff in France. At 31 December 2007, Aviva France recorded consolidated sales of €6.5 billion and an IFRS net profit of €338 million and managed assets worth €71.4 billion at 30 June 2008.