Diversity and Inclusion
It’s All About People!
Diversity is about the dimensions that make us different and unique. Inclusion is the practice of ensuring that people from all backgrounds are given equal access to opportunities and resources.
We all have a diversity story to tell and that’s why at Sonepar, we believe in creating a work environment where everyone can feel safe, use their voice, and know that they belong. Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) is a central focus of our global, strategic Impact plan.
Sara Biraschi Rolland, Chief Human Resources Officer
"Everybody deserves to be heard and to be respected. Sonepar aims to ensure all associates a diverse and inclusive working environment. Our role is to build an inclusive organization leveraging all our differences as strengths to power sustainable performance".
D&I at the core of everything we do
Our D&I strategy has been developed with guidance from dedicated experts, sponsorship from our Executive Committee, and associates.
The resulting Roadmap is a key vehicle for raising awareness among associates and managers, as well as consolidating and communicating D&I initiatives across all countries where we operate.
Our ambition, which encompasses our associates, our customers, and our suppliers, is to:
- Embed D&I across our business, operational, and HR initiatives
- Foster an inclusive and safe work environment where everyone can realize their full potential
- Create an inclusive and caring customer experience for all customers
- Engage our suppliers in our D&I journey and commitments
These ambitions are strengthened by a series of commitments.
First, we’re building a clear D&I governance structure that can drive all our initiatives forward, build a network of experts, and ensure support and the appropriate key indicators across the group.
We’re also creating a transparent and consistent employer brand, underpinned by inclusive HR and managerial processes that see talent management through a 'D&I lens' and therefore promote it internally. This in turn, requires an inclusive and flexible work environment to attract and retain the best talent.
Lastly, awareness and enablement are vital success factors in developing a more inclusive culture. Recent actions in this area include awareness sessions with our Executive Committee and broader HR network, adding Diversity & Inclusion as a topic to our in-house Leadership Program, and adding a D&I index to our associate satisfaction survey.
Priorities
Attract, retain, and promote women – with the aim of increasing women in the workforce from 25% to 35% by 2025.
Promote diversity at all levels, especially enabling associates from diverse backgrounds to grow within the organization.
Promoting an inclusive workplace for people with disability.
Diversity and Inclusion in action
This strategy has been rolled out throughout the Group. Discover below some examples of local good practices.
Sonepar has been recognized as a Diversity Leader for the second year in a row by the Financial Times’ 2025 Diversity Leaders ranking.
Based on independent surveys of more than 100,000 associates from companies that employ at least 250 people across 16 European countries, the ranking identifies the 850 companies that have excelled in creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Sonepar Awarded GEEIS Certification
In 2022, Sonepar has obtained Gender Equality for European & International Standard (GEEIS) certification for the next four years.
GEEIS is an international standard enabling the development of a common culture in gender equality and diversity in the workplace. Therefore, it serves as a benchmark in the field of professional equality, recognizing all of the actions taken by Sonepar over the past few years.
Sonepar is committed to very high ethical, social, and environmental standards and ensure associates a diverse and inclusive working environment.
Inclusive Recruitment in Asia
Local HR teams have implemented a new recruitment policy that promotes equality and diversity in terms of ethnicity, gender, and disability.
Another initiative aims to support women returning from maternity leave by providing lactation rooms and dedicated refrigerators to store breast milk.
Sonepar Partners with Gerando Falcões to Raise Funds for Local Communities
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a highly challenging time for Brazil and has greatly impacted several communities in need. Sonepar has therefore partnered with Gerando Falcões, a nonprofit organization based in Favela, that aims to transform the lives of children and young adults through a combination of socio-emotional and professional education.
Sonepar’s main goal is to generate donations through various channels within their Brazil network, enabling associates and customers to contribute Gerando Falcões’s initiatives, reinforcing the company’s belief that we are able to overcome times of crisis when we work together.
Our brands in Brazil, Nortel, Dimensional and Eletronor have also joined the cause, to collect and distribute digital food baskets to needy families in vulnerable communities which were profoundly impacted by the COVID crisis.
First Community of Female Electicians in Chile
Sonepar has implemented a professional insertion program for women in Chile in partnership with suppliers Nexans and Schneider Electrics, along with local NGO RedMaestra.
In 2022, during the first edition, 20 women who were seeking professional reconversion or financial independence were successfully trained as certified electricians in the Santiago area.
The women were offered training and certified as electricians, in basic and advances courses, workshops, internship programs, and inspiring speeches from women of Sonepar on how to thrive professionally in this market. All of them are now integrated in the market, working for companies or launching their own business.
In 2023, the program expanded to other regions of Chile and now 60 additional women are benefiting from it.
In December 2023 Sonepar was awarded the GEEIS-SDG Trophy for Gender Equality thanks to this initiative.
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Compliance and integrity
Complying with legal and regulatory requirements is a challenge we meet in all the countries where we operate.