People, their knowledge and creativity are of utmost importance for the development of the innovation ecosystem. It is therefore necessary to nurture human resources and provide a motivating work environment. However, one of the problems is that the current culture and organizational set-up of research performing organizations do not always create an environment supporting equal opportunities for women and men. As a result, this work environment is not able to attract and retain enough women in the long term. The reasons for the lower involvement of women in research activities must be sought in the conditions for reconciling work and private life (or parenthood), persistent prejudices about women’s abilities, recruitment practices, conditions for career growth, unequal pay, etc.TA CR currently promotes gender equality in research performing organisations mainly by allowing the costs of childcare or care for other persons who are dependent on the care of persons involved in the project to be included in project budgets. These costs (known as social costs in accounting terms) can be covered from the project budget provided the allowance is embedded in the beneficiary’s internal rules and intended for all employees who request it. Alternatively, the costs can be included in the beneficiary’s indirect costs, provided that the internal rules are followed.
Promoting gender equality within the TA CR Office
In addition to activities focused on gender equality in the research and innovation ecosystem, TA CR also focuses on promoting equality in its own organisational environment:
- TA CR actively offers employees the opportunity to maintain their cooperation during parental leave. Caregivers can choose whether they want to work on an agreement or part-time basis and adjust their daily schedule accordingly.
- TA CR also strives for fair remuneration for women and men. Since 2020, we have been using the Logib tool, which was introduced into the Czech environment by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, to monitor any pay gaps.
- In order to improve the organisation’s culture and its gender aspects, TA CR regularly conducts an employee survey that includes questions focused on equal opportunities and possible experiences with sexual harassment, mobbing and bossing.