Chiesi Farmaceutici receives the award reserved to large Companies and recognises their outstanding contribution to gender equality and to enhancing the value of women in the workplace
Parma, October 15th, 2020 – Chiesi Farmaceutici, an international research-focussed pharmaceutical group, recognised as a “Work-Life Balance Friendly Company” 2020. The award received today in Rome by Maria Paola Chiesi, the Group’s Shared Value & Sustainability Head, is jointly promoted by the Fondazione Marisa Bellisario and Confindustria. It is reserved for large companies and recognises their outstanding contribution to gender equality and to enhancing the value of women in the workplace.
“As a representative of the Chiesi Group, I am honoured to receive the Marisa Bellisario Award, a symbol of excellence and merit, and an acknowledgement which each year reminds us of the great value generated by women at all professional levels in the Italian workplace - commented Maria Paola Chiesi -. Receiving the Mela d’Oro award also means becoming actively involved in the Fondazione Bellisario’s mission, which is to ensure women increasingly take a leading role in today’s world, a vision that closely aligns with our company’s approach. Chiesi is also a Benefit Company and B Corp and as such firmly believes in inclusion, in people’s wellbeing and in acceptance as forming the basis for a relaxed and positive working environment. A people-centred approach, responsibility, transparency, a sense of community and sustainability are the values on which we operate”.
Globally, women represent 52% of the Group’s 6,000 employees and also significantly outnumber their male colleagues particularly in Research & Development, where they represent 64% of the 482 people employed. There are also more women than men in all of the so-called staff functions, where 61% of the 250 people are female.
Inclusion, people’s wellbeing and acceptance are synonymous with a relaxed and positive working climate. Chiesi therefore promotes initiatives dedicated to guaranteeing an adequate work-life balance, ranging from a psychological support helpline (launched during lockdown), an online antistress programme and assistance for caregivers, to coaching, counselling activities for mums, both before and after maternity leave, and yoga courses run at the company. Reconciling the demands of people’s professional-personal life is also made easier regarding legal and healthcare issues: Chiesi provides every employee with a free service for legal advice within the company. Other benefits are also available on site, including a dry-cleaning service and a tyre-fitting service, etc.
The Group has also launched a programme of Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) to send a clear message that diversity concerning gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, race, religion, opinion and culture form an integral part of the organisation. As a result, Chiesi’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee was then set up to define a recruitment and involvement strategy based on the importance of accepting differences.
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The Chiesi Group
Based in Parma, Italy, Chiesi Farmaceutici is an international research-focussed group with 85 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical sector operating in 29 countries. It conducts research and develops and markets innovative drugs for respiratory treatment, Special Care and rare diseases. The Group’s Research and Development centre is based in Parma and works alongside five other important research and development centres in France, the U.S., Canada, the UK and Sweden to promote its pre-clinical, clinical and regulatory programmes. The Group employs around 6,000 people. Chiesi became a certified B Corp in 2019: as such it is required by law to consider the impact of its decisions on its employees, clients, suppliers, communities and the environment. This global movement views business as a force for good. The company is also committed to becoming carbon neutral (generating zero impact on the environment) by the end of 2035.
Contacts for the press:
Giovanna Usvardi
Global Communication & Public Affairs Head
Tel: +39 3400875248
Email: g.usvardi@chiesi.com
Alessio Pappagallo
Global Communication Manager
Tel: +39 339 5897483
Email: a.pappagallo@chiesi.com
