Politique d'égalité des sexes

1. Statement of Commitment
   Polykey Polymers is fully committed to promote gender equality within its organizational structure, operations, and strategic vision. In alignment with the European Commission’s Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025 and the eligibility requirements under Horizon Europe, we recognize that sustainable and inclusive research, innovation, and organizational culture must be grounded in equality, diversity, and fairness.
2. Our Priority Action: Equal Opportunities for All
   At Polykey, our priority is to provide equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of gender, background, or any other personal characteristic. We are committed to creating an inclusive and fair work environment where both men and women, as well as people of diverse identities, have the same access to career advancement, leadership roles, and research opportunities. Our actions are designed to eliminate any form of bias in recruitment, professional development, and decision-making processes.We believe that diversity strengthens our organisation and enhances our ability to innovate, collaborate, and achieve excellence. By offering equal opportunities, we aim to foster a culture where every employee and researcher, regardless of their gender, can thrive and contribute their best to the success of the organisation.
3. Coorporative Areas of Action
   1. Work-Life Balance and Organisational CultureWe are committed to creating a healthy and sustainable work environment that supports the well-being of all staff. Our actions in this area include:
      • Implementing flexible working hours and remote work policies to accommodate diverse personal and professional needs.
      • Enhancing support for parental leave, as well as facilitating smooth return-to-work processes for parents.
      • Reinforcing a culture of respect and inclusion through internal communications that highlight shared values and collective responsibilities.
   2. Gender Balance in Leadership and Decision-MakingAchieving gender balance in leadership roles is essential to ensuring fairness and diversity in decision-making processes. Our actions include:
      • Setting clear targets for balanced representation on all positions.
      • Actively promoting participation in programmes specifically designed to support women’s career progression and leadership development.
   3. Gender Equality in Recruitment and Career ProgressionWe are committed to ensuring that all recruitment, promotion, and career development processes are fair, inclusive, and free from bias. Key measures include:
      • Using gender neutral language in all job postings and communications.
      • Promotion practices to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates.
      • Ensuring transparent evaluation criteria that promote merit-based decisions and equitable career progression.
   4. Integration of the Gender Dimension in Research and Teaching ContentOur commitment to gender equality extends to the core of our academic and research activities. We aim to:
      • Promote inclusive approaches in curriculum design, teaching materials, and training programmes, ensuring that gender perspectives are meaningfully integrated into educational content.
   5. Measures Against Gender-Based Violence, Including Sexual HarassmentWe have adopted a zero‑tolerance policy for any form of gender‑based violence, including sexual harassment. Our approach includes:
      • Providing confidential reporting channels to ensure that all individuals can safely raise concerns.
      • Implementing clear disciplinary procedures to address incidents swiftly and fairly.
      • Offering victim support mechanisms to ensure a comprehensive response.

      For this purpose, a detailed plan and sexual‑harassment protocol document are available to all.

4. Scope and ApplicabilityThis Gender Equality Plan applies to all staff, departments, and stakeholders within Polykey Polymers covering operations in EU Member States and Associated Countries.
5. Scope and Applicability
   We allocate both human resources to implement and monitor the GEP. The management team is responsible for ensuring that dedicated resources, including internal committees, are available for the effective execution of the plan.
6. Data Collection & Monitoring
   We collect sex/gender-disaggregated data on staff and management positions, and conduct annual reporting and analysis based on key indicators. (See Annexes)
7. Publication on the Website and Dissemination to the Entire Team.
   The Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is a public document accessible on the organization’s website. In addditon, the GEP is annually disseminated to all members of the organization to ensure the entire team is informed of the gender equality commitments and actions.
   
8. Confidential Reporting Channels.
   We provide confidential reporting channels for any gender equality-related issues. Employees can report concerns or incidents via email to info@polykey. All reports will be treated with the most confidentiality and respect.
   
9. Implementation,Review and Governance
   A periodic review of the GEP is conducted to ensure that the established goals are being met and to adjust actions as needed. The review is carried out by the GEP Implementation Lead and Committee: Dr. Coralie Jehanno (CSO) and Dr. Andere Basterretxea (CEO).
10. Compliance with Horizon Europe
    This Gender Equality Plan (GEP) commits to fulfilling the eligibility requirements set by Horizon Europe for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions. We affirm that this plan is not merely a compliance exercise, but an integral part of our long-term institutional strategy to promote gender equality, ensuring sustainable progress and alignment with Horizon Europe’s principles.

Date of Publication: 01/01/2025

Approved by: Dr. Coralie Jehanno (Scientific Director) & Dr. Andere Basterretxea (General Director)

Website: https://www.polykey.eu/

Contact email: info@polykey.eu