La banque d'un monde qui change 2004 - BNP Paribas

102sustainable development103(in %) France Europe North America South America Asia Oceania AfricaPercentage of staff employed locally 99.85 97.25 98.53 98.14 94.80 97.85 98.54At Group level, almost half of all key internationalposts are already held by non-French employees.Human rightsWith a presence in 85 countries BNP Paribasoperates in a variety of political and regulatoryenvironments. This means that the Groupmust take particular care to ensure respectfor the principles of the Global Compactprogramme, of which BNP Paribas is a member.BNP Paribas has minimal exposure in relationto the 25 countries deemed as high-risk in recentpublications compiled by the relevant authorities:the Group is present in only 9 such countries andstaff there represent less than 1% of total globalheadcount. In the most risk-exposed countries,where human rights regulationsare often very lax, local human resourcesdepartments apply Group rules to all employeemanagement procedures.Professional equalityFemale employees now represent the majorityof the Group’s workforce. Growth in the totalproportion of female employees is expected tocontinue in the coming years since there is ahigher number of women in the lower age groupsof the Bank’s workforce:Female employees as a percentage of total workforce(in %) 2002 2003 200448.4 50.7 51.5In addition to the unprompted rise in theproportion of female employees, the Bankhas actively taken measures to ensure thata greater portion of women has access toexecutive positions. As a result, the numberof senior management posts currently occupiedby women has risen to over 20%, representingan increase of five percentage points overthe last three years.This policy was taken one step further in April2004 when BNP Paribas SA France signed aunanimous agreement with five national tradeunions, setting out the applicable principlesto ensure equal opportunities and treatment on allrungs of the career ladder. An analysis was carriedout at the time of the agreement’s signaturerelating to the levels of remuneration awardedto male and female employees, with comparisonsbased on equivalent posts, grades, and lengthsof service. No significant differences betweenmale and female remuneration for equivalentpositions were identified. The agreement wassubsequently endorsed by the Orse (France’scorporate social responsibility watchdog), whichplaced it in the register of innovative practicesin the field of professional equality compiledat the request of the French governmentaldepartment for professional equality.Combating discriminationBNP Paribas’ human resources managementrules, which are applicable to all Group entities,prohibit discrimination of any kind and focuson the assessment of individual performances,skills, behaviour and potential. In countrieswhere legislation allows for positivediscrimination, local branches and subsidiariesscrupulously adhere to the applicable lawand regulations. In all other countries,Group rules apply.In France, BNP Paribas is involved in a programmeadopted by some companies in partnershipwith two organisations that aim to promotethe employment of graduates from visibleminorities and to combat discriminationduring the recruitment process. In connectionwith this initiative, the Group regularly posts jobvacancies on the website of these organisations.