Capitalising on the rich diversity of our workforce
As part of its many years of commitment to combating all forms of exclusion and discrimination, the Casino Group has defined a policy for promoting corporate diversity.
This policy was designed to encourage the hiring of applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and to foster equality at every level and in every company activity.
The Group Diversity Committee, made up of seven employee representatives and seven Group executives, oversees the policy’s implementation.
In June 2009, a network of 50 diversity liaisons was established.
Incorporating diversity into the hiring process
To ensure that the recruiting process reflects its efforts to combat discrimination, since 2007 the Casino Group has been using the "recruitment by simulation" method, in which candidates are tested on their aptitude in a given work situation.
Deployed with help from France’s national employment agencies (ANPE/Assedic), the method provides access to employment for applicants who may be largely unskilled, by using their aptitude and motivation as a determining factor. In 2009, the process was extended to include applicants for supervisory positions.
In order to identify and measure any disparities between its commitments and hiring practices, the Casino Group enlisted the services of an outside consulting firm that specialises in independent testing. Each test involved two people posing as applicants for the same position who differed only in their putative background. Sixteen hundred discrimination tests were conducted in 2007 and 2008 at 700 Group sites; the results were made public in July 2008.
Since 2008, 1500 people have been hired with this method.
Pursuing the same rationale in 2010, the Group has tested the use of anonymous CVs in several subsidiaries, like Franprix - Leader Price.
A workforce that is alert to diversity concerns
The challenges posed by diversity are regularly brought to the attention of the workforce. A special brochure was prepared in 2007 and distributed to all employees in France. Fifty HR managers and employee representatives have attended a training module on challenges and best practices in diversity management.
> Download the diversity brochure
Taking part in public initiatives to combat discrimination
Externally, the Casino Group is an active participant in government-led anti-discrimination campaigns, such as the European Union’s EQUAL Initiative.
In France, the Group has signed a series of agreements with public authorities since 1993; the most recent framework agreement signed with the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Parity covers the period 2007-2012. The Casino Group also became a member of the "Hope for the Suburbs" plan in 2008. Since this year, the Group hired 3000 young people and more than 1700 trainees from sensitive urban aeras.
> Download the testing results
On May 2009, Casino obtained the Diversity Label in recognition of its commitment to preventing discrimination, providing equal opportunities and promoting diversity. In 2010, this label was audited and renewed by Afnor Certification, whose commission gave a favourable opinion on its continuation.
Casino is the first retailer to receive the award.
> "Casino Group awarded France’s Diversity Label"
