Banken for en verden i endring The bank for a ... - BNP Paribas

Non-discrimination and the promotion of equal opportunity:
a fi rm commitment and plans of action
BNP Paribas and the Diversity Charter
BNP Paribas is one of forty French companies to have signed the Diversity Charter. In
a January 2006 review by HALDE (Haute Autorité de lutte contre les discriminations et
pour l’égalité), the French high authority fi ghting against discrimination and for equality,
BNP Paribas was not found to discriminate in recruitment.
On 13 December 2006, the Group also signed the charter proposed by the French Minister of
Education by which French companies commit to promoting equal opportunity in education.
The purpose of this charter is to strengthen links and develop initiatives between businesses
and schools. It is the most recent in a long line of initiatives taken by BNP Paribas in this
regard and boosts its already strong commitment to the world of education.
Rigorous anti-discrimination controls
Discrimination, either at the recruitment stage or at any other time in an employee’s career,
has been identifi ed as one of thirty major risks faced by the Group worldwide. In 2005 and
2006 a risk analysis was carried out to assess the potential causes of discrimination, defi ne
prevention controls, weigh up possible consequences and prepare an action plan. A quarterly
report is presented to the Executive Committee regarding this action plan.
An ethics alert mechanism enables all employees to report any non-compliance risks they
may come up against and, in particular, any practices they may fi nd discriminatory.
Organisation and resources for fi ghting discrimination
In September 2005, a Head of Diversity was appointed within BNP Paribas’ Human Resources
function. He is responsible for defi ning overall policy and coordinating non-discrimination
action plans, promoting equal opportunity and increasing the number of women and foreign
nationals among senior executives. The Head of Diversity’s duties also include overseeing
the Group’s policy in favour of disabled employees.
> An international workforce
By employing local people, BNP Paribas directly contributes to the development of the countries
in which it operates and therefore is naturally integrated into the different cultures and
communities concerned. Local employees can thus gain access to senior positions within
subsidiaries and branches, and can pursue careers within the Group.
Percentage of staff employed locally by geographic area
North
America
98.8%
France
99.8%
Other
territories
97.9%
Europe
98.9%
Asia
94.8%
Baudouin Prot, Chief Executive Offi cer,
BNP Paribas Group
Promoting diversity*
As an international Group, BNP Paribas
defi nes itself not only by its varied panoply
of business lines but also by the diverse
cultural and national makeup of its community
of employees. We have operations
in 85 countries and 60% of Group staff
now work outside France.
This diversity is one of our key strengths.
We need to develop it further, to be even
better at being the bank for a changing
world – a bank that partners its customers
and employees through the changes and
challenges of the 21st century.
Our Group welcomes all talented individuals,
regardless of origin. The only way their
capabilities should be assessed is by
appraising contributions made and competencies
demonstrated at every stage in
their career development. In addition to
being illegal, any discriminatory practices
would run counter to the basic respect
each person is entitled to and could seriously
damage our reputation. Under no
circumstances can they be allowed.
BNP Paribas is a very important employer
and bank in some strongly multicultural
areas, notably in France. In our banking
and fi nancial services, bringing together
people from different backgrounds is
a source of creativity, innovation and
efficiency. We will also be closer to our
customers if the composition of our staff
mirrors the mix in society around us.
Promoting diversity is therefore, for
BNP Paribas, a matter of both performance
and social responsibility. Each of us
is invited to contribute, on a day-to-day
basis, to advancing this goal.
* Excerpt from a letter from the Chief Executive Offi cer
to all employees.