At ENGIE, social dialogue is the pillar of the social cohesion that is essential to establish the conditions for its transformation and its long-term economic, social and industrial performance.
The employee representative bodies are privileged forums for discussion between management and staff representatives, particularly on the subject of ENGIE’s industrial, economic, financial and social strategy.
In accordance with legal and regulatory provisions, social dialogue is reflected in the existence of forums for dialogue that are close to the realities of the Group’s businesses and the countries and geographical areas where it operates. Beyond that, the Group promotes more wide-reaching policies through the signature of European and global agreements to uphold fundamental rights, health and safety of people and property, life in the workplace for all employees.
Forums for dialogue
The Group promotes local social dialogue through national and local bodies in all countries where it operates, in accordance with each country’s legal and regulatory provisions.
In Europe, the European Works Council is the Group’s forum for social dialogue. With some of the most wide-ranging prerogatives, its aim is to develop and strengthen social dialogue on the Group’s strategy, policies and development across Europe.
Agreements
The international social dialogue developed within the Group over more than ten years has led to the implementation of a number of undertakings through European and global agreements.
Global agreement on fundamental rights and social responsibility (2022)
The global agreement defines and implements the Group's commitments in terms of fundamental rights (compliance with environmental standards, duty of care, prevention of all forms of harassment). It introduces a minimum level of social protection for all employees worldwide and promotes inclusion (gender equality, professional equality and diversity). It incorporates the commitments made under the Global health and safety agreement signed in 2014 and establishes the Global Forum to monitor implementation of the agreement.
Global health and safety agreement (2014)
This agreement defines and implements certain fundamental principles on health and safety at work throughout the Group, as well as in the supply chain and within ENGIE’s sphere of influence.
Health & safety is the foundation and one of the Group’s priorities at the human, social and industrial level.
European agreement on gender equality in the workplace (2017)
In line with its goal of reaching 40% female managers by 2030, the Group pays particular attention to the progression of women, especially in the technical professions. Through this agreement, the Group makes commitments on work-life balance, equal pay, prevention of sexual harassment and gender-based violence, equality and non-discrimination.
European social agreement (8 April 2016)
In line with the target of having all employees trained by 2030, the priority of this agreement is to strengthen professional excellence and develop the employability of staff. In particular, this is achieved through:
- Enhanced social dialogue on the company’s strategic direction and the consequences for skills and jobs.
- Forecasting needs and skills at all levels of the Group.
- An ambitious training policy and the promotion of internal mobility, which takes precedence over external recruitment in a context of organisational change.
European agreement on improving quality of working life (2014)
This agreement aims for continuous improvement in the quality of working life in each entity, in particular by:
- encouraging employees to express their expectations and views on their quality of working life, and by actively involving management,
- raising employees’ awareness and understanding of QWL issues, for themselves and for others,
- putting QWL at the centre of organised and defined social dialogue and within a common framework to identify priorities for action.