Universal Registration Document 2022

4.1.1 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

4.1 Priority #1: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion And Social Justice

4.1.1 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
Gender balance by region % Women 2021 % Women 2022
Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific

% Women 2021

43.4%

Asia Pacific

% Women 2022

43.8%

Europe/Russia

Europe/Russia

% Women 2021

57.1%

Europe/Russia

% Women 2022

56.5%

Latin America

Latin America

% Women 2021

53.8%

Latin America

% Women 2022

53.0%

Middle East/Africa

Middle East/Africa

% Women 2021

53.3%

Middle East/Africa

% Women 2022

51.8%

North America

North America

% Women 2021

54.7%

North America

% Women 2022

55.1%

Grand total Grand total% Women 2021

51.5%

Grand total% Women 2022

51.3%

4.1.1 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

The Groupe’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion policy, part of the Janus Code of Ethics, sets out the founding principles behind which local actions are aligned. The Groupe’s policy is regularly updated, and the implementation of action plans in the countries and agencies is the responsibility of local management, particularly the Talent/HR Departments and the teams dedicated to DEI projects. Locally, employees are involved in the actions implemented and progress is shared at least once a year. DEI policies are also shared with clients with whom we may conduct joint initiatives.

Inclusion is at the heart of the Groupe’s top management priorities. For nearly 15 years, the Groupe has selected eight criteria to monitor in particular: gender, age, ethnic origins, education, disability, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, veteran, with a specific legal framework determining the type of indicators that may be monitored for each country.

The Groupe’s culture is based on the motto Viva la Différence, based on respect for each and every individual, both internally (the diversity of our employees) and externally (the diverse cultural contexts in which the teams work with our clients). This respect for, and valuation of, differences is at the heart of the Company’s culture.

The Five pillars of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion policy
1) “Zero Tolerance”: a principle embedded in the Groupe’s values

This “Zero Tolerance” principle remains intangible and universal. It has always been applied to the fight against all forms of discrimination, whatever the grounds (gender, age, origin, sexual orientation, religion, etc.), and must be respected by everyone, employees and managers alike. This Zero Tolerance principle also applies to moral and sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct. It is described as such in the Janus Code of Ethics (excerpts of which are accessible on the Groupe’s corporate site at: www.publicisgroupe.com).

A centralized whistleblowing system is in operation: ethicsconcerns@publicisgroupe.com. Reported concerns are managed by the Secretary General and systematically followed up, with complete confidentiality and protection for whistleblowers (see details in Section 4.2.6 of this document).

2) Viva la Différence: a purpose and an inclusive culture

During the Viva la Différence virtual seminar, which brought together all Groupe employees in December, the motto at the heart of the Company and the Groupe’s strategy were the red wire of the discussions; this motto is the Company’s purpose. This alignment between the Company’s internal culture and the business approach is based on a foundation of values on which the Groupe has relied for decades, which gives meaning to the business lines and illustrates the Groupe’s objective to help build a more inclusive world.

The Groupe has a proactive approach to diversity in its workforce (see Section 4.1.1.1 for country examples). The Groupe is pursuing its efforts in eight specific areas, namely: gender, age, disability, cultural and ethnic origins, educational background, sexual orientation, religion, and veterans (military). Monitoring of diversity indicators is subject to national legislative frameworks. At the Groupe’s global level, only gender and age data can be consolidated and published. The Groupe is very mindful of individual situations (illnesses, family responsibilities, etc.) and is always looking for appropriate solutions to support its employees who may be experiencing challenging periods.

In order to maintain the conditions of an inclusive culture that respects every single person, mandatory training on unconscious bias is carried out in almost all countries to train male and female managers and all employees. The Legal and Human Resources/Talent teams oversee compliance issues in very close contact with the leaders who are members of the Country/Agency Executive Committees.

3) The Groupe’s public commitments to inclusion

The Chairman of the Management Board, Arthur Sadoun, deals directly and personally with the issues of diversity and inclusion. He is heavily involved in the US action plan and in the global internal communication around it.

The #WorkingWithCancer plan launched in January 2023 in Davos illustrates another of his personal commitments, in order to create a caring framework, by providing tangible support to employees facing cancer, a serious or chronic illness (see Section 4.1.3.3).