Words by GOLD newsdesk
Pfizer and Delix Therapeutics have today (27 September 2022) been recognised as ‘Global Champions of Greater Equity for Women in the Workplace’ by The Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA).
Honoured as part of the HBA’s Advancement. Commitment. Engagement. (ACE) Awards, the two companies were praised for their “game-changing” initiatives to close the gender gap in the healthcare and life sciences industries, including schemes to create equal levels of representation across senior posts and even out pay packets between male and female employees.
Delix has an executive team that is equal in its gender representation, and two-thirds of its hires company-wide so far this year identify as women. In the same vein, Pfizer UK’s gender pay gap has dropped significantly since 2018, falling from 15.9% to 7.5% in 2021.
Reflecting on the work of the two winners, Wendy White, Interim CEO, HBA, said: “The HBA is honoured to celebrate two global industry champions for their conviction and progressive approach to helping women reach their full potential through their respective workplace initiatives.”
Awards recognise companies committed to ensuring that gender diversity and leadership opportunities for women are part of their organisational DNA, with award criteria including measurable results, business performance, stewardship, execution and sustainability.
This year's awards will be presented on 3 November at the HBA's Annual Conference in Philadelphia.
According to recent analysis by Pharmaceutical Technology, 95.7% of pharma companies pay their male employees more than their female staff. In addition, women only hold 44.7% of the highest paid roles in the industry, and the rest of the top spots are occupied by men.