Diversity & Inclusion

Putting people at the centre of our strategy has led us to promote diversity and inclusion as real imperatives. We have drawn up our Diversity & Inclusion manifesto and adhered to the Utilitalia Pact on diversity and inclusion and the Sodalitas Foundation's Charter for Equal Opportunities and Equality at Work.

Differences in gender, religion, nationality, political or sexual orientation, social status, physical ability, health conditions, family situation, age, or any other aspect not relevant to the job are not a cause for discrimination—but a source of enrichment.

Since 2021, we have launched the campaign “Every Person Makes a Difference,” with concrete actions such as training and awareness programs, support measures for parenthood, and commitment to closing the gender pay gap.
We have created inclusion tutors and ambassadors who support the work of our internal committee, along with HR policies focused on training, recruitment, and compensation. We also report annually on measurable and specific objectives—first through our Sustainability Report, and now through our Integrated Report.

We signed a union agreement on smart working, particularly for vulnerable individuals and employees returning from parental leave.
Another key agreement enhanced legal requirements by introducing additional support tools for parents: a company-paid supplement during parental leave, extra days off for new fathers, flexible hours and remote work options for those returning from leave, and special leave for life-saving therapies.

In 2023, we began the process for Gender Equality Certification according to the PDR 125:2022 reference standard, which defines specific KPIs to measure an organization's commitment to gender equity.
This standard aims to close gender gaps in hiring, treatment, and pay; support parenthood and work-life balance; and, most importantly, shape corporate culture to enable sustainable, long-term change.
This is why gender equality policies must include a dedicated Plan, a Steering Committee with a strong governance mandate, extensive training and awareness efforts, and a dedicated budget, as is the case at Acque Bresciane.

We earned our Gender Equality Certification in October 2023, following an audit by accredited body Bureau Veritas. This placed us among the first Italian companies recognized for ensuring equal professional growth opportunities, fair pay, and inclusive parenthood and work-life balance policies. The certification was also confirmed during a follow-up audit in October 2024.

At the end of 2024, Acque Bresciane received the prestigious "Parità Vincente" (Winning Equality) award, promoted by the Equal Opportunities Council of the Lombardy Region. This annual recognition is granted to 16 organizations that demonstrate best practices in work-life balance, with particular attention to gender diversity and inclusion.

In 2025, a study by Statista in collaboration with Il Sole 24 Ore ranked our company among the 275 Italian companies leading concrete policies and actions in favor of inclusivity, awarding us the title of “Leader in Diversity & Inclusion 2025.”