Promoting equal opportunities, regardless of gender, age and\nnationality, is one of the fundamental values of the European Severe Storms\nLaboratory (ESSL).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An organisation dedicated to science, especially meteorology\nand atmospheric science, ESSL respects the legal provisions that regulate the\npromotion of equal opportunities, and all recommendations given by the European\nUnion, and the German and Austrian governments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
More precisely, ESSL ensures equal opportunities for all\nemployees regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, language, religion,\npolitical or other belief, national or social origin, property status, social\nposition, marital or family status, age, health condition, disability, genetic\nheritage, gender identity or sexual orientation. ESSL implements a policy of\nnon-discrimination in the field of employment and work, and in relation to\nconditions for employment, advancement at work, professional development and\ntraining, reconciliation of professional and private life and pregnancy,\nchildbirth, parenting and all forms of guardianship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, ESSL recognizes that a diverse workforce benefits\nits team as well as individual employees, each of whom brings their own unique\ncapabilities, experiences, and characteristics to their work. It believes that\nthe wide array of perspectives that results from such diversity promotes\ninnovation and the success of ESSL. We believe in treating all people with\nrespect and dignity and strive to foster a supportive and understanding\nenvironment in which all individuals realise their maximum potential within the\norganisation, regardless of their differences. ESSL is committed to employing\nthe best people to do the best job possible and explicitly recognizes that a\nperson may be suited best for a job in part because their employment increases\nthe diversity of the team. As a responsible community member, ESSL recruits\npeople from all backgrounds. We believe that our employees from many different\ncultural, linguistic, and national backgrounds provide us with valuable\nknowledge to engage in an optimal way with our partner organisations that are\nlikewise diverse, being based throughout Europe and the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A particular challenge that ESSL addresses in its recruiting\npolicy is to strive for a gender-balanced team in the light of the\nmale-dominated meteorological community that exists to this day. ESSL is\ncommitted to developing for its employees a healthy balance between work and\nfamily life by offering flexible working times wherever possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To ensure that ESSL implements the above policies, it has\ntaken the following actions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An Equality Officer (EO) has been appointed by the Executive\nBoard. Their responsibility is to supervise the implementation of the above.\nTheir work comprises a dedicated resource to promoting equality within the\norganisation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All employees are actively informed who the EO is and what\ntheir role is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the purpose of an overview of the equality status within\nESSL, the EO will annually prepare a report for the EB that will include\nstatistics on employee background diversity, remuneration, promotion to\nleadership positions, and identification of existing challenges, and\nrecommendations on ways to address these challenges. The EB ensures that the\nnecessary resources are allocated to the secretariat to support the EO with\ntheir work. Based on the EO\u2019s report, the EB will subsequently decide on\nnecessary actions, and review the adequacy of this Diversity Policy and Gender\nEquality Plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of annual employee performance talks between\nemployees and their supervisors, the aspect of equality will be discussed. This\nis done in the context of discussing employee happiness with their work situation,\ntheir career perspectives, and any other issues that affect the employee.\nPotential shortcomings in the field of equality are reported to the EO who will\ninclude this in their report to the EB, or, in cases requiring more urgent\naction, announce them to the EB without delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of the recruitment procedure, the EO will be heard\nbefore advertising any vacancy, and before making a decision on starting\nemployment of a new employee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ESSL\u2019s EO will appoint a confidant, i.e. a person to whom\nall employees can confidentially and safely report any gender-based or other\ndiscrimination, or misbehavior including sexual harassment. In case this would\nhappen, the confidant will report to the director level and provide a\nrecommendation of the course of action to be taken. All employees are actively\ninformed who the confidant is and what their role is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ESSL Executive Board ensures the availability of\nfinancial resources for a training budget for the EO and the confidant, which\nthey can use to participate in courses on (gender) equality issues and conflict\nresolution to ensure the highest possible effectiveness of the implementation\nof equality goals, and resolution of any occurrences of discrimination and\nmisbehaviour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the responsibilities of the EO, ESSL takes\nthe following actions to promote equality within its organisation and the\nmeteorological community: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
ESSL periodically supports, financially or in kind,\nconference and workshop participation for young scientists and weather\nforecasters, and in selecting candidates will, besides quality of the\ncandidates, take into account their diverse background to ensure minorities are\nsufficiently supported to effectively compensate for existing imbalances in\nbackgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ESSL ensures that in its educational resources and public\ncommunication community diversity is appropriately reflected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
ESSL has no restrictions regarding the employment of persons\nwith disabilities, in tenders for open positions it will be explicitly stated\nthat persons with disabilities can also apply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
ESSL promotes work from home so persons with disabilities or\nany other health condition as well as nursing mothers are able to adapt their\nworking hours and pace of work to their needs as long as they fulfil their\nobligations within agreed time limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
31 March 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wessling, Germany and Wiener Neustadt Austria,
For the Executive Board,
Dr. Pieter Groenemeijer
Director<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Promoting equal opportunities, regardless of gender, age and nationality, is one of the fundamental values of the European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL). An organisation dedicated to science, especially meteorology and atmospheric science, ESSL respects the legal provisions that regulate the … Continue reading