At Penta, we recognise that our success hinges on the talent, dedication, and wellbeing of our staff. As part of our 2020-2024 strategy, we are committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.
One of our key initiatives is actively promoting gender equality at all levels. We utilise a “blind” recruitment process, removing identifying information like names, gender and ethnicity from applications during the initial screening stage. This approach mitigates unconscious bias and ensures that the best candidates are chosen based solely on their qualifications and experience.
We prioritise achieving a healthy work-life balance for all employees. We offer flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options and adaptable hours, to accommodate individual needs. Generous parental leave policies extend to both mothers and fathers, allowing staff to prioritise family responsibilities without compromising their professional growth.
Additionally, we practice pay transparency to ensure everyone is compensated fairly based on their role and performance. This transparency allows staff to understand their compensation structure and compare it with colleagues in similar positions.
We foster diversity across our teams, ensuring a broad range of perspectives inform our decisions. This inclusive environment empowers everyone to thrive at Penta.
In 2023, the Gender Equality working group and the Equality Officer implemented awareness-raising initiatives to educate the Penta Foundation staff on gender equality within the Foundation and, in general, promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion. This ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of understanding and respect ensures that everyone feels empowered to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive workplace.
Our dedication to gender equality culminated in achieving the UNI/Pdr 125:2022 certification for our gender equality management system in 2023. This certification is a testament to our ongoing commitment to creating a fair and inclusive workplace for everyone.
“The gender equality certification encourages us to continue on this path.
– Eleonora Brugiolo, Penta Foundation Equality Officer
It’s clear that a more inclusive and flexible work environment contributes to improving people’s lives outside of work as well.”
We offer a competitive total reward system that encompasses both financial and non-financial benefits. This includes competitive salaries, performance‑based rewards, and a comprehensive welfare package. Our “Penta Welfare Plan” goes beyond the traditional salary structure, providing a variety of benefits and services designed to enhance employee wellbeing and create a positive work environment.
In 2023, we launched a new psychological counselling service to further support our staff’s mental health and overall wellbeing. Counselling meetings take place through a secure platform managed by a reputable health facility registered with the National Health Service and supervised by the Order of Psychologists, thus ensuring confidentiality and the safety of user data.
Protecting children is paramount at Penta. We recognise the inherent vulnerability of children and the importance of creating a safe space for them to participate in research or interact with our staff. To uphold this commitment, we have a robust safeguarding policy that outlines clear procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children involved in our work or research. This includes guidelines on obtaining informed consent, maintaining confidentiality, and reporting any concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing.