As a global brand, we engage with many diverse cultures and communities and believe our employees should reflect this diversity. Therefore, we are working with third-party I&D experts to identify and remove bias and barriers in our recruitment process so we can attract and retain top talent from all backgrounds and experiences.

We are coaching our managers on ways to hire a more diverse workforce and by 2023 have invested more than 1,212 training hours with a bespoke Balenciaga inclusive recruitment course.

Balenciaga is encouraging its markets to consider innovative approaches to its hiring process. For example, we regularly collaborate with local schools, institutions, and associations (OXFAM and CARITAS), to hire unemployed talents and refugees.

Balenciaga believes talent can be found everywhere. That is why our Design team created its first scholarship program (in addition to the regular internship program) that offers a 6-month mentorship for one student at a partnering fashion school with limited connectivity and exposure to the fashion industry. 

Since its launch in 2020, Powered by Balenciaga has welcomed promising students from partnering fashion programs in Estonia, Mexico, India, and China. So far, two students that completed this internship have been offered long-term contracts to join the Design team, proof that Powered by Balenciaga works to integrate new and necessary perspectives. 

Balenciaga believes education and dialogue is key to fostering change. That’s why the House has hosted several awareness sessions that address the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in corporate development—and why it is essential to be engaged with different causes (see Journalist Aïda Touihri ‘s Interview Series as an example). 

Managers and employees are required to attend four Inclusion & Diversity courses that cover the definition of I&D, how to fight bias, breaking the glass ceiling, and mental health. In 2024, we are launching a new module to accelerate inclusive management practices with a course dedicated to feedback and coaching.

100 % of Balenciaga managers and 80 % of our employees completed an unconscious bias training course upon its launch. The course is now integrated in the mandatory learning path for all employees worldwide.

Ensuring that managers and employees feel balanced on the job is key for being an inclusive workplace. In 2023, we launched an e-learning course “Rebalancing Mental Load” to support the journey toward a better work-life balance. In one month, 75% of our employees completed the course. 

Each of these programs is part of our onboarding process everywhere in the world. Supported by Kering, Balenciaga employees also benefit from an ongoing e-learning path to deepen their knowledge of Inclusion and Diversity‘s dimensions. 

Balenciaga offers development opportunities for all employees and practices a transparent promotion process that empowers them, particularly women, to drive their professional growth.

We acknowledge the importance of supporting the advancement of women and the need to eliminate obstacles they often encounter in their professional life. Balenciaga has provided more than 800 coaching career conversations for female colleagues to identify challenges and aspirations.

We are also committed to being transparent about our results and are proud to share that in 2023, most of our employee base and leaders are women:
-    60% of all employees
-    61% of our leaders
-    61% of our executive committee 
-    51% of career moves resulting in 43% achieving a promotion

We offer equal opportunity for employees and foster a culture where managers and

employees feel comfortable taking advantage of tools, processes and dialogues to make it happen.

For the second year, we organized a Global Learning Day focused on learning from peers to foster a more inclusive learning culture.  More than 1,600 participants from all regions and functions attended the event.

We have also implemented a retail career path based on skills progress and performance assessment to unlock functional moves. So far, 620 retail employees have benefited from a career move. 

Balenciaga stands against any form of discrimination and supports organizations fighting injustice with multi-year financial resources and advocacy campaigns.

-    Social justice:  OutRight International, Centre LGBTQI+ de Paris et d’Île de France
-    Diversity in design and mentorships: Share Africa
-    Internships for students in priority education areas: ViensVoirMonTaf!
-    Child protection: National Children’s Alliance
 

We know we can always do better. That is why we track our progress through an employee listening survey and adjust our programs and support. This effort has allowed us to continually improve in two key areas:
-    Employees feeling they work in a nondiscriminatory environment (81%)
-    Acknowledging we hire people from diverse backgrounds (79%)