Diversity in the workplace

The companies of the BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. Capital Group approach diversity management with due diligence.

Working to support diversity, build an inclusive culture and prevent exclusion is one of our Bank’s responsibility priorities. We address our inclusivity efforts to employees, customers and the social environment. Both our Bank and the BNP Paribas Foundation, in cooperation with expert organisations, carry out a number of initiatives that strengthen diversity, level educational opportunities and prevent exclusion.

In 2016, we adopted a Diversity Policy that aims to create and promote a work environment focused on respecting and making the most of the potential inherent in employee differences for the growth of the Bank. In the same year, we appointed a Diversity Officer to ensure coordination and supervision of respect for diversity in the organization. The Diversity Officer coordinates activities related to respect for the principles of diversity in general and promotes the sharing of good practices within the Group. Employees can also report violations of these rules, i.e. all forms of discrimination to the Diversion Officer. Currently at BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. two persons perform the function of Diversity Officer. We work intensively on diversity in the organization, taking care to build an inclusive organizational culture (Diversity & Inclusion).

Diversity is a fact, a reality that surrounds us. Each person is unique, one of a kind. Some of the differences between us are visible at first glance, others are deeply hidden. Some characteristics are particularly protected by law because of the higher risk of discrimination in the social space: e.g. gender, age, disability, ethnic origin, nationality, political beliefs, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. Of course, there are many more faces of diversity. After all, we all differ in talents, skills, character traits, personalities, experiences, personal situations, opinions and other attributes. We are a Bank that is open to everyone.

Inclusion is an intentional effort. What makes diversity work, makes sense, benefits employees, customers and society. It uses everyone’s potential, allows one to feel good in the organization, in society. Enables one to have a sense of belonging and influence on what is happening in the business and social environment. Structural inclusion is a creation of fair, prejudice-free structures, processes and business practices. Behavioural inclusion is the development of an organizational culture based on mutual respect and trust.

We build Diversity & Inclusion area at BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. within the framework of:

• promoting diversity in the workplace
• openness and accessibility to diverse groups of Clients, with a particular focus on those at risk of exclusion
• pro-social activities to support Diversity & Inclusion and prevent exclusion

At the level of the BNP Paribas Group, diversity management is governed by documents:

• Diversity Management Policy of BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A.
• Anti-mobbing Policy BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A
• Policy for reporting violations of the law and regulations in force at BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A.
• Policy of ethical procedures and standards, including whistleblowing
• Work Regulations of BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A.
• Instruction on the procedure for handling complaints and motions in employee matters
• Rules for dealing with reports of harassment and sexual harassment in professional relations at BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A.
• Rules for recruitment of employees of BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. – Annex 2
• BNP Paribas Group Code of Conduct
• The ILO Global Business & Disability Network Charter
• BNP Paribas Agreement Concerning Fundamental Rights and Global Social Solutions

As a Bank, we are actively committed to promoting diversity and anti-discrimination. We are also a signatory to the Diversity Charter. It is a commitment signed by organisations that decide to ban discrimination in the workplace and work to create and diversity.

In 2020, BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. was among the leaders of diversity management for the second time in the Diversity & Inclusion rating organized by the Responsible Business Forum with the support of Deloitte Polska. For more information about the rating, please visit the site.

Openness, tolerance, respect for diversity, anti-exclusion are values that are inscribed in the DNA of the BNP Paribas Group and our Bank. That’s why every year we get involved in the celebration of Diversity Week in the Group. In October 2020, we organized Diversity Days to make employees aware of the strengths and potential of diverse teams.

In 2020, as part of Diversity Days, we focused on:

• Raising awareness of one’s own prejudices and stereotypes
• Ensuring the quality of communication in everyday relationships (equality language)
• Learning to communicate well with people with disabilities

• Preventing violence
• Promoting the equal role of parents in the upbringing of children

Through this initiative we promoted the idea of Diversity & Inclusion. We also made our employees aware of the importance of equal opportunities and fighting exclusion.

You can read more about our initiatives to promote diversity in the workplace later in the chapter. In 2020, we have taken measures to promote respect for diversity and to build awareness, both among customers and the society. We stand in solidarity with the LGBT+ community. In response to difficult social situations, we have created the „A zone open to everyone” project. in 2019. We have expressed our firm disapproval of any discrimination, including that which is built on prejudices about gender identity and sexual orientation. The Bank’s branches have been marked with a rainbow-themed frame – a symbol of the LGBT+ community, expressing in this way that regardless of gender identity and orientation, skin colour, fitness or views, everyone in our community is treated with respect and handled with due care. For we believe that in a changing world everyone should feel safe being themselves. In 2020, we strengthened efforts to support the LGBT+ community. We showed solidarity and support during the Rainbow Friday campaign. We also organized a webinar for employees to support children and young people with adolescence issues, including gender identity or sexual orientation. We are actively involved in activities promoting diversity and preventing the exclusion, e.g. through numerous activities in the areas of cultural support, equal opportunities through education and facilitation of our establishments for the excluded.

In the field of employing people with disabilities, we have established cooperation with external entities that support us in better adapting the organization to increase the employment of people with disabilities and conduct training and planning internal communication promoting an open, inclusive workplace. In 2021, we plan to continue the training, launch a campaign aimed at employees, and focus on further adapting the organization and recruitment of people with disabilities.

Diversity is the highest value of our organization. 68 percent of Bank employees are women, so it is very important for them to feel appreciated and have the possibility of personal development adequate to their needs. The Bank’s employees launched the bottom-up initiative „Women Changing BNP Paribas” to work on strengthening the role of women in the organization, promoting the idea of Diversity & Inclusion in the Bank, and building men’s involvement in gender equality activities.

As a part of the initiative, among other things, a survey on equal treatment of women and men and observed behaviour in employee relations was conducted among the employees. A dedicated Women Up development program (described later in this chapter) was also developed for women.

The Women Changing BNP Paribas initiative organised its activities within five thematic zones:

Power Zone

• Activation of women in the sales network
• Diagnosis of needs, unlocking potential
• Cooperation with ambassadors

Blossoming Zone

• Training and development programs
• Mentoring programs
• Cooperation with universities

Voice Zone

• External and internal communication
• Ensuring Bank brand DNA consistency
• Partnership in external projects supporting women

Change Zone

• Participants' voice surveys
• Creating performance indicators
• Change of rules and procedures
• Focus on effects

Openness Zone

• Anti-discrimination
• Developing and promoting D&I culture

Power Zone Ambassadors were also appointed as part of the program. They are 55 women from 28 localities who work in the Bank’s sales network. Their role is to engage their colleagues in the network and explore the needs of women working in branches, business centers and macro-regions.

The publication of the Code of Diversity, trainings, workshops, a mentoring program by women for men (but also vice versa – by men for women), media presence, cooperation with organisations that support and work for women – are the selected activities on which the leaders and ambassadors of the program will focus in 2021.

As part of unique development programs, we implement the Women Up program, dedicated to women working in the Bank. It was prepared by the Blossoming Zone, operating as part of the „Women changing BNP Paribas” project. It is an annual development program that allows participants to identify and strengthen their talents or develop personal branding skills. In order to participate in the program, it was necessary to submit bold ideas of the changes that you want to implement in the Bank. The program is based on three pillars: transparency, objectivity and action.

In 2020, 166 applications were received during the recruitment process, from which the Jury selected 101 participants. Finally, a list of ideas was created, the top ten of which were called diamond ideas. They will be implemented in project groups. They are amongst others:

In addition to participating in the development program, the authors of ideas also received the support of Patrons – high-level managers, who will support the implementation of ideas in the organization. #WomenUp is an extraordinary initiative at the Bank promoting team collaboration that strengthens and builds a sense of belonging and community of employees.

In 2020, we were also involved in promoting external initiatives that strengthened and developed the potential of women in Poland:

• Chairman of the Board of BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A. is a co-founder of the Polish Male Chamions of Change club, which works to increase the number of women in senior positions, close the pay gap, and better utilize the talents of both genders in their companies.
• The Bank is a partner of the Businesswoman of the Year competition, organized by the Succes Written in Lipstick Foundation, which publicizes the success of women in business, science and culture. You can read more here: https://bizneswomanroku.pl/

• We have also joined the I Am a Leader program organized by Vital Voices Poland and developing the potential of young women aged 16-19 who are active in their community. The winners of the I Am a Leader competition took part in a series of trainings in leadership, self-presentation and communication, career design, developing one’s strengths. You can read more here: https://vitalvoices.pl/nasze-programy/programy/jestem-liderka-2/
• We became a partner of the „Become a Ms. Ambassador” competition organized by the Israeli Embassy in Warsaw and the Leopoldy Wild Foundation. The laureates had a unique opportunity to serve as an ambassador for one day at one of the twelve embassies that take part in the project. You can read more here: https://www.ambassadorforaday.org/

We are a Bank that supports women in various aspects of life, especially in their professional development. However, actions are more important than words, therefore 100 key managers of BNP Paribas Group, including Przemek Gdański – the Chairman of the Management Board of BNP Paribas Bank Polska S.A., joined the #JamaisSansElles (Never Without Her) initiative. The French Association #JamassSansElles works to promote equal opportunities and the visibility of women in public life. By signing the #JamaisSansElles charter, BNP Paribas Group board members and now key managers from 14 countries, have pledged not to attend any public event over three people – debates, expert panels, roundtable discussions – unless a woman is present.

For a long time we have been witnessing social and cultural shifts in parental involvement in child rearing, particularly a shift in attitudes toward fatherhood among young men. At the Bank, we support diversity and equal opportunities in the workplace for both parents.

In 2020, as a partner of the Share The Care Foundation, we co-created the „Employers' Guide 50/50 – that pays off for everyone. The role of employers in encouraging men to take parental leave.” As part of the project, we also engaged in a series of premiere online debates on equalizing both parents' right to child care and its benefits. As a Bank of a changing world, we have been seeing changes in parental trends and the growing role of fathers in raising children for a long time. This is confirmed by research. According to the “Family Power” study and the „Diagnosis of attitudes, motivations and barriers towards paternity and parental leave” study, women and men agree that both sexes are equally good carers for their children (79%). That is why, as a Bank of a changing world, we promote the idea of parental equality and engage in initiatives to support its implementation.

The data relate to maternit, paternity and parental leaves.