Accor signs United Nations' Women's Empowerment Principles
French hotel group Accor has signed the United Nations' Women's Empowerment Principles (WEP), pledging to foster empowerment of women in the workplace and community.
The WEP comprises seven values, including establishing gender equality among high-level corporate leadership, treating all men and women equally at work with respect and health and safety, promoting the professional development of women, implementing marketing practices that empower women, and publically reporting on progress towards gender equality.
Sébastien Bazin, the group's chairman and chief executive, said: "By signing the Women's Empowerment Principles, Accor is reasserting its commitment to fight stereotypes and encourage an increase in the percentage of women in decision-making positions. I am convinced that diversity is an asset that stimulates performance and innovation within our teams. We all stand to benefit."
In 2011, Accor created its Diversity Charter, which states its commitment to equality in the workplace and to fighting stereotypes. It also has an international networking group called Women at Accor Generation, which has more than 2,500 male and female members worldwide, and helps promote mentoring, role model schemes and career development.
Other hotel groups to have signed the WEP include Hilton Worldwide.
Accor operates 14 hotel brands across 3,700 properties and 92 countries. Its brands include the Sofitel, Grand Mercure, Novotel, and Ibis.
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