The signing of the Equal Treatment and Opportunity Plan between BBVA and representatives from the trade unions CCOO, UGT, CGT and Confederación de Cuadros, who between them account for some 94% of Spanish workers, is new formal proof of the bank's commitment to equality between men and women.

As Juan Ignacio Apoita, Human Resources and Services Manager, says: “The signing of this agreement represents a step forward for us in the development of real equality between women and men. However, the management of diversity should not be simply another human resources policy, but rather a transversal factor underlying all the decisions taken in this area.”

The BBVA Group is committed to equal opportunity for all the members of its team. This is a key value in our corporate culture, and this plan has been signed to make it reality. Among the subjects it covers are the reconciliation of work and personal life, protection for pregnancy and maternity, sexual harassment and gender violence, disability, information and dissemination, image and language, equal opportunity for all and monitoring of the agreement through a joint committee.

Specifically, through the Equality Plan, BBVA undertakes to:

• Reduce the gap between men and women by five percentage points in all the five highest wage levels covered by collective agreement over the next four years. 
• Use the best tools and HR practices to promote and speed up the incorporation of women into positions of greater responsibility.
• Arrange maternity leave replacements in all branches with fewer than four employees.
• Carry out temporary transfers in cases of very serious family situations.
• Special mention should be given to the protocol for the prevention of sexual harassment and harassment for reason of gender.
• The agreement also includes improvements in aspects related to the reconciliation of work, family and personal life; and special attention is given to the subjects of paternity and maternity.
• Very demanding criteria are set on questions of equality, selection, training and, in general, all HR policies.
• Finally, the plan includes the creation of an Equal Treatment and Opportunity Committee with the participation of trade union representatives to monitor the implementation of the measures in the agreement.

“Talent has no gender at BBVA," says Juan Ignacio Apoita. "That's why it is important to take into account the different needs and contributions of people who make up the organization and guarantee that all of them have access to the same career development opportunities."

In 2005, BBVA signed a landmark agreement on equal opportunity and the reconciliation of work and family life. This was a pioneering moment in the sector and was more progressive than the legislation in force at the time. With the signing of this new equality plan in Spain, the Group wants to continue to be a model of support for non-discrimination in the societies in which it operates.