ÖBB Annual Report 2023

39 Corporate Governance Gender aspects ÖBB actively pursues gender equality. An institutionalised system of regional equal opportunities officers operates within the ÖBB Group. It is entrusted with compliance with the Equal Treatment Act and ensures equal treatment of all employees. In 2023, the scope of application of the ÖBB Equal Treatment Policy, which has been in effect in the national ÖBB Group since 2011, was also extended to ÖBB's foreign companies with more than 100 employees. Since 2022, all ÖBB apprentices in their first year of apprenticeship have been sensitised to equal treatment and familiarised with the internal system for ensuring equal treatment within the ÖBB Group. In 2023, a qualification and training campaign for managers and team coordinators was also launched with a focus on skills development: “Equal Treatment – Rights and Duties for Managers and Team Coordinators”, “Diversity & Inclusive Leadership” and “Sexual Harassment in the Workplace”. A strategic diversity goal throughout the Group is to increase the proportion of women. The Women's Career Index (FKI) was surveyed to promote this goal consistently and sustainably. An action catalogue for the sub-societies was drawn up with interviews following in-depth exploration, while preparations for implementation and monitoring were taken forward. A new indexation took place in 2023. The ÖBB Group in Germany was able to improve in all index areas and, with an overall index of 80 points, is well above average in the benchmark with other FKI-indexed companies. In addition, a variety of programmes contribute to empowerment: An important factor of employer attractiveness is good compatibility of work and private life. This topic is also part of the ÖBB Equal Opportunities Policy. Among other aspects, it provides for specific measures to promote the reconciliation of work and private life. These include childcare throughout Austria during holidays and on national holidays, or kindergartens close to the workplace. Other measures include Nannies4ÖBB-Kids and RailMap*Vereinbarkeit Beruf und Privat, an information portal on parental leave, care and compatibility offers from ÖBB. In addition, the digital platform for care and support counselling “Alles Clara” supports ÖBB employees in caring for close relatives. In 2023, a Group-wide reconciliation strategy – with a focus on childcare in the area – was adopted and regional childcare services were expanded throughout Austria during school holidays and on public holidays. The overall proportion of women in the ÖBB Group has increased by 1.0 percent compared to the previous year's reporting date and now stands at 16.1 percent. The proportion of apprentices rose by 0.4 percent and currently stands at 18.9 percent (excluding foundation apprentices). 45.8 percent (59.4 percent excluding employee representatives) of supervisory board mandates in German stock corporations were held by women as at the balance sheet date. There has also been a 1.1 percent increase in managerial positions to 19.1 percent from 18.0 percent in the previous year. In 2023, the proportion of women in the ÖBB Akademie training programmes was 42.0 percent.