VAT Vakuumventile AG as well as its subsidiary COMVAT AG in Switzerland conducted last month a scheduled re-audit by the Swiss SGS Société Générale de Surveillance for being compliant with the equal pay provisions of the Swiss Federal Act on Gender Equality. Companies compliant with the standards monitored by the SGS receive the Fair-ON-Pay certificate.
Holder of the certificate are regularly audited on maintaining the standards of fair compensation practices and equal pay for all employees. The audit analysis the organization’s compensation policies and practices, as well as potential pay gaps between different groups of employees.
As a result of this year's audit, VAT maintained its certification and also upgraded to an advanced certification level as additional policies and processes were put in place to ensure the implementation of the Fair-ON-Pay principles at all levels of the organization.
“We are thrilled to have achieved this level of recognition for our commitment to fair pay,” said Marika Staljon Bührer, Head of Compensation & Benefits at VAT Group. "Equal pay is not just a legal requirement, but a moral imperative. We have committed ourselves to follow this principle in all aspects of our work. The Fair-ON-Pay certification is proof that we are not just talking about it but living it."
The audit report states that VAT has continued to prioritize fair compensation practices and made further improvements in pay transparency and pay equity. Based on this the company’s score on the Fair-ON-Pay assessment qualifies VAT to be in the advanced certification level.
Equal pay is an important issue for VAT. That is why VAT hopes that more companies will follow these standards and make fair pay practices a daily practice.