Equality plan in companies: real examples, regulations, and phases

What is the Equality Plan?

An equality plan is a document that sets out the actions and measures aimed at promoting gender equality within companies. It was created with the purpose of eliminating inequalities and discrimination that may exist in the workplace, covering aspects such as recruitment, professional development, work-life balance, and training, among others. 

Which companies are required to have an equality plan?

There is a current law in Spain that requires companies to have an equality plan whenever they meet the following conditions:

• If the company has more than 50 employees. 
• ‍If the contract or collective agreement to which the company belongs requires it, regardless of the number of employees.
• The Public Administrations or companies contracting with the Administration.

Equality Plan Regulations

Equality plans are mainly regulated by the following legislation:

• Organic Law 3/2007 of March 22, for the effective equality of women and men. 
• Royal Decree 901/2020 of October 13, which regulates equality plans and their registration.
• Royal Decree 902/2020 of October 13, on equal pay between women and men.

This legislation establishes the obligation for companies to register their equality plans in the Register and Deposit of Collective Bargaining Agreements, Collective Labor Agreements and Equality Plans (REGCON) of the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy. 

Phases of the Equality Plan

The process of developing an equality plan consists of the following phases:

• Launch: this involves the process of communication and opening negotiations between the parties. 
• Diagnosis: based on the collection and analysis of data regarding the company’s current equality situation.
• Design and approval: defining the objectives and measures that will form part of the plan, and registering it. 
• Implementation and monitoring: involves putting the proposed measures into practice and evaluating their compliance. 
• Evaluation: in this phase, the impact of the plan and the results obtained are assessed. 

Examples of Equality Plans in Companies and Organizations

Let’s look at some real examples of equality plans from both public and private entities in Spain.

Equality Plan – Madrid City Council

The latest Equality Plan of the Madrid City Council was approved on December 28, 2023, and its objective is to promote equality between women and men. It is based on three main lines of action:

• Achieving gender parity in the representation of the Institution, as well as incorporating the principle of equality in municipal management and organization. 
• Using inclusive and non-discriminatory language in Communication to eliminate sexism and gender stereotypes. 
• Promoting equality in access to employment and internal promotion of people, as well as ensuring equal conditions for remote work. 

Equality Plan – Mercadona

Mercadona has an equality plan with a focus on parity in management positions and internal promotion, with the goal of promoting equality between men and women within the company. This plan is developed from an integrated human resources perspective. 

Equality Plan – Inditex

The Inditex Equality Plan came into effect in April 2023 and includes more than 100 measures aimed at ensuring real and effective equal opportunities between men and women. It seeks to facilitate work-life balance, achieve pay equality, reduce part-time employment, and introduce more comprehensive protocols against harassment and gender-based violence. 

Equality Plan – Repsol

At Repsol, the equality plan is especially important due to the traditionally male-dominated sector in which it operates, representing a firm commitment and a strategy to promote gender equality. 

The key aspects included in Repsol’s plan are:

• Generational, cultural, sexual, and gender diversity.
• Inclusion of people with disabilities.
• Parity in hiring and talent management.
• Respect for diversity and equality.
• Inclusion initiatives. 

Conclusion:

Ultimately, equality plans are an essential tool to move towards a fairer and more equitable society. Through them, organizations demonstrate their commitment to society. 

The examples presented in this article help us understand their importance and show that they create a more equal and motivating environment for employees. It’s a way to generate a positive impact and build a corporate culture with stronger values.

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