"Gender Equality : a source of strenght, creativity and performance"

In January 2016, the TF1 Group signed the second Group agreement on gender equality in the workplace. In conjunction with this important occasion, Arnaud Bosom, Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Organisation with the TF1 Group, answers questions on the Group’s commitment.

Why did TF1 choose to sign this agreement?

Arnaud Bosom: First, we believe that the principle of equality between women and men is fundamental. Second, gender equality and, on a broader scale, diversity in general, are sources of strength, creativity, and performance for a business. Our signing this second agreement truly formalizes our commitment. It covers a variety of realms, such as recruitment, career management, and wage policy, but also balancing work life and personal life, which is another major focus of our gender equality policy.

What specific initiatives are in place to promote equality in the workplace?

Arnaud Bosom: We’ve implemented measures related to supporting women in managing and developing their careers, with training centered on women in leadership, but also a cross-mentoring initiative in collaboration with CISCO and Bouygues Télécom. With respect to maternity leave, new provisions are now in place, such as the option to start leave in the fourth month of pregnancy and a telecommuting option to allow part-time or full-time work from home. Furthermore, we chose to sign the Parenthood Charter, which binds us to changing the way parenting is represented and perceived within the company, as well as respecting the principle of non-discrimination in the professional development of employees who are parents.

Was the FIFTY-FIFTY diversity network established as part of the agreement on professional gender equality?

Arnaud Bosom: No, that network developed through the dedication of male and female employees who wanted to create a gender-diverse network within the Group, and I’m delighted with its progress. We’ve supported the project because it’s consistent with efforts we are making elsewhere. It’s a wonderful initiative that’s working well, as the network now has over 130 members, about 20% of whom are men.