Ensuring equal rights for employees

Ensuring equal rights and opportunities for employees is one of the Company’s top priorities in HR management.

In its operations, Russian Railways adheres to the principles of the UN Global Compact and the Social Charter of the Russian Business developed by the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP).

• The Company strictly complies with the Russian labour and civil laws and builds relations with employees based on mutual respect and commitment.
• The Company encourages and supports the social and cultural diversity of its employees, providing them with equal opportunities for employment, remuneration and promotion regardless of their differences and beliefs.

In accordance with Russian Railways’ Code of Business Ethics, heads of the Company’s branches and business units ensure equal rights and opportunities for all persons when they apply for a job or work their way up the career ladder, regardless of their gender, age, race, ethnicity, language, origin, financial and employment status, place of residence, personal and physiological differences.

Russian Railways does not tolerate harassment, insults, threats, or psychological abuse. In the event of human rights violations or discrimination, employees are entitled to contact the Hotline and make a complaint.

The Company does not discriminate or have restrictions on the employment of disabled people. They are hired based on their health condition and statutory requirements for certain jobs.

When moving up the career ladder, all employees enjoy equal rights and opportunities. Over 20% of the Company’s managers are aged under 35.

Supporting women

As women make up nearly 30% of Russian Railways’ employees, improving their working conditions and social security is among our absolute priorities.

In December 2020, Russian Railways approved the Action Plan to improve the conditions of work, leisure, and social support of women in 2021–2025Approved on 29 December 2020 (Minutes No. 2019)., with the relevant Coordination Council put in charge. The Council holds regular on‑site meetings with female employees and organises video conferences with railway coordination councils. These are effective ways to collect feedback from female employees, discuss issues, develop response measures, and put them into effect.

The Company considers changes in the list of jobs available to women to be an important step towards equal opportunities. Russian Railways offer women an opportunity to work as operators and assistant operators on certain types of traction rolling stock, as well as choose other professions that had traditionally been associated with men – from lorry driver to overhead lines repair personnel. In the reporting year, 79 women were trained and employed as train drivers and assistant drivers.

In 2023, we carried out an annual survey of working conditions of Russian Railways’ female employees. The survey showed that 78.2% of women were satisfied with their employment at the Company, up 1.5% y‑o‑y.