FAQ
WE responds
ABOUT THE EQUALITY DIAGNOSIS
Why carry out an equality diagnosis?
The diagnoses allow us to know where we are in terms of equality in the company, the strengths and opportunities for improvement, and are the basis for designing strategies and action plans that will drive us to continue improving. In addition, in Spain, all companies with more than 50 employees must have an equality plan, according to the legislation, and this plan must include an equality diagnosis as an indispensable part of it.
Is WE diagnostics an audit tool?
The WE questionnaire is an evaluation tool that allows you to identify strengths, opportunities and areas for improvement in the representation, policies, programs and existing gender equality initiatives in your company. The results generated from it show a diagnosis of the state of the company in relation to equality in the workplace, based on the answers that the company has provided, so it is not - by itself - an audit or certification tool. It can be with the support of our consultants/auditors.
Is it necessary to make this diagnosis more than once?
Our recommendation is that companies complete the questionnaire on an annual basis. This allows to measure the progress achieved over time, and to make comparisons between the results from one year to another, giving also the possibility to download updated data and generate contrast tables that measure the improvements.
What is the methodology underlying the results?
The questionnaire consists of 18 questions, divided into 4 areas (each area has a different number of questions, with the “Workplace” area having the largest number). The questions have multiple answers, from which you can select all those that apply. The different options indicate specific practices in 4 stages of management: Commitment, Implementation, Measurement and Transparency. Each question is weighted equally and the result is given as a percentage. This percentage is calculated based on the different weights assigned to the four stages of the management framework.
Additional weight is given to practices enshrined in international conventions, such as the ILO core conventions, which are considered minimum obligations to respect women's rights.
The maximum score is 100.
ABOUT THE QUESTIONNAIRE
What should I do before I start filling out the questionnaire?
Before starting, it is advisable to follow a series of guidelines such as designating a main contact to complete it on behalf of the company or reading the questions. These guidelines are included in our “Instruction Sheet”, which you can access here.
Is it possible to complete the questionnaire by sections and save the answers?
Yes, you can save the recorded answers and return later to continue completing the questionnaire.
I don't understand a question or section, who should I ask?
The WE support team is always available to help you, go here to contact us or talk directly to the chat.
How much time will I spend filling out the questionnaire?
This depends on the number of things your company does related to equality, since the more things, the more options are displayed per question. Even so, depending on the companies that have filled it out, it usually takes between 15-30 minutes. We recommend that you read the questions beforehand, so that you know what you will be asked about and can gather any information you may need before you start. You can find the questions here.
What information will I need to complete the questionnaire?
The questionnaire includes questions on the company's gender equality policies and practices, so for some sections it may be advisable to consult the following departments - if any - in the company: Human Resources; Diversity and Inclusion; Marketing; Corporate Social Responsibility; and/or Management.
How has the WE questionnaire been developed?
Our questionnaire is based on the Women's Empowerment Principles Gap Analysis Tool (WEP Gender Business Tool), developed by the United Nations Global Compact and UN Women. This tool is based on the WEP principles. It was developed in consultation with more than 170 companies, so the questions included in the tool are based on business practice and reality and on international standards and indicators. The consultations with the private sector for its development were accompanied by a series of interviews and expert consultations involving more than 40 specialists in gender equality and corporate sustainability. The WE questionnaire adapts these questions to the reality and legislation of the country in which each company is located.
How is the WE questionnaire structured?
The questionnaire consists of 18 questions in total, grouped into 4 areas: Leadership, Workplace, Market and Community. The questions have multiple answers, these options indicate specific practices in 4 stages of management: Commitment, Implementation, Measurement and Transparency. The number of practices varies depending on the question. They can be deployed or not, depending on the previous answers.
ABOUT PRIVACY
Will information about my company be kept confidential?
The data collected with the WE questionnaire will not be used for commercial purposes nor will it be transferred to third parties. It will not be shared publicly, except with the consent or request of the user. Although it is not mandatory, companies are encouraged to voluntarily share their results with their stakeholders as a way to initiate dialogue and action to advance gender equality in the company. You can access our Privacy and Data Policy here.
Can I know the information/scores of other companies?
Unless a company publicly discloses its results, individual-level results are confidential. When sufficient data is generated, you will be able to access benchmarks at the aggregate level.