Gender Equality Policy for Reference Practice UNI PDR 124:2022

Chiavari (GE), 16/06/2025

The Management of FREDDY SPA has defined this Gender Equality Policy in agreement with the Corporate Steering Committee and in accordance with the Reference Practice UNI/PDR 125:2022. The company has always assessed the skills and abilities of its staff by trying to avoid prejudices and stereotypes, which is why the Management decided to start a concrete and systematic path aimed at encouraging an inclusive culture free of bias – even unconscious bias - that values all people equally.
The primary objective of the gender equality policy is to gradually but rigorously reduce differences in pay and career advancement that may have occurred in the company’s long history. Recruitment policies and plans are also put in place to foster and enhance diversity in a broad sense that brings value and new impetus in all sectors and areas of the company.
It has been shown that the presence of people of different genders and, in a broader sense, of different cultures opens up new ideas, innovative solutions and positive competition between staff and teams.
This not only enhances each and every one of us but also promotes business growth and prosperity in an increasingly competitive world.
This Policy is addressed to all employees and collaborators of FREDDY SPA and is shared with all its main stakeholders, suppliers and customers with the aim of having a greater impact in its value network and being a point of reference for other companies.
With regard to the specific social requirements relating to respect for human rights and equal gender opportunities, the position taken by the company with reference to the following policies related to gender equality issues is outlined below:

1. SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT

  • FREDDY SPA is committed to assessing people with different backgrounds and skills, pursuing gender equality, during selection and recruitment, through the identification of a shortlist of candidates that tends to be equal male-female.
  • FREDDY SPA is committed to assessing people with different backgrounds and skills, pursuing gender equality, during selection and recruitment, through the identification of a shortlist of candidates that tends to be equal male-female. In addition, it is committed to providing people involved in recruitment processes with adequate training on gender equality and cognitive biases that can negatively impact selection processes.
  • In addition, it is committed to providing people involved in recruitment processes with adequate training on gender equality and cognitive biases that can negatively impact selection processes.
  • It always ensures an adequate selection of candidates of the less represented gender, with the aim of achieving gender balance in positions of responsibility.

2. WAGE EQUITY

  • FREDDY SPA, in compliance with the provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreements, guarantees equal pay to employees regardless of gender.

3. CAREER MANAGEMENT

  • FREDDY SPA is committed to fostering constant dialogue between the Management and the entire staff in the performance evaluation process, reinforcing everyone's commitment to achieving corporate objectives, also through the definition of projects, which do not present any gender discrimination, and fostering a constructive discussion aimed at empowerment, thanks to the use of feedback, intended as continuous improvement.
  • Throughout the professional career cycle, FREDDY SPA guarantees equal opportunities for professional development and promotions, based exclusively on the employee's personal abilities, skills and professional levels.
  • FREDDY SPA tends to balance the presence of men and women in company management teams.
  • FREDDY SPA addresses the opportunity to receive specific training on the improvement of professional skills and on the management of obstacles to female empowerment (and in general terms gender) that may arise in the workplace.
  • We guarantee equal and fair participation in training and development courses, with both genders present, including courses on leadership, communication and relationship management, is ensured.

4. PARENTING AND CARE

  • FREDDY SPA is committed to supporting employees during and after periods of absence from work, avoiding any discrimination during and after the leave, allowing them to remain in contact with the company during the leave and facilitating reintegration at the end.
  • With respect for the human person and realisation of private life, the full enjoyment of the right to maternity/paternity leave is recognised by encouraging, in particular, the request for paternity leave.
  • FREDDY SPA protects and guarantees the maintenance of working conditions prior to leave, supporting the worker during the reintegration phase with specific support activities.

5. WORK-LIFE BALANCE

  • FREDDY SPA is committed to improving the work-life balance of its employees and collaborators at all phases of a person's personal and professional life by adopting measures agreed with the staff and that meet the needs of the person and the company within the scope of and in compliance with the provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreements.
  • Work activities are distributed in relation to the specific task, the typical business needs of the sector and in full compliance with contractual requirements.

6. COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING ACTIVITIES

The company:

  • is committed to ensuring that genders are equally represented in the performance of the various company activities, including participation in events, conferences and exhibitions, and to working to avoid any form of discrimination.
  • also pays particular attention to the language used between and towards employees, promoting communication that is as polite and neutral as possible.
  • is committed to promoting a culture based on meritocracy, equality and respect for people regardless of gender, also externally, by actively involving stakeholders, through an external communication plan.
  • is committed to use non-discriminatory written language and images in its advertising campaigns.

7. PREVENTION AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES

  • FREDDY SPA is committed to preventing sexual harassment in the workplace through a dedicated gender harassment awareness programme that creates awareness in people and guides them in their daily behaviour.
  • In the event of incidents of discrimination or abuse, employees have full freedom to report them by filling in anonymous forms made available to all workers.
  • FREDDY SPA is committed to organising training sessions for all employees, aimed at raising awareness within the organisation on the theme of valuing differences, gender equality and inclusion.
  • FREDDY SPA’s goal is to be able to apply these principles throughout the supply chain, with a view to continuous improvement and employee satisfaction.

In order to continuously and punctually monitor the aforementioned commitments undertaken by FREDDY SPA, a series of specific performance indicators tailored to the company's reality have been identified for each of the policies adopted and mentioned. To the same end, the application of the procedures of its gender equality management system, as described in the implemented system documentation, is also guaranteed.