Scientists in a lab looking at a sample

HR Excellence in Research Award

We began the application process for the HR Excellence in Research Award granted by the European Commission. The goal is to keep promoting a favorable work environment and enable researchers to carry out their work in the best conditions by adapting human resources policies to the principles in the European Charter & Code for researchers.

Support of the European Commission to promote research careers

In 2005, the European Commission published the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. These documents are aimed at promoting equal rights and obligations for researchers as well as their employers and/or funders, making research an attractive career and a vital element for economic and employment growth in the European Union.

The European Union grants the HR Excellence in Research Award to institutions that apply for the HRS4R by following the standards and guidelines set out in the European Charer for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. By implementing the HRS4R Strategy, institutions undertake to offer favorable working conditions, professional development, mobility, and transparent hiring processes for researchers, therefore contributing to the competitivenes of the European Research Area (ERA) and the attractiveness of the EU scientific system worldwide. The European Commission promotes institutions that receive the HR award among international organizations and scientists as those that offer the best development and working conditions.

 

HRS4R at Repsol

Logo HR Excellence in research

 

In 2020, Repsol began working towards the HR Excellence in Research Award.

One of our main competitive advantages lies in our people with whom we maintain a relationship based on respect and mutual trust. This is something we consider to be intrinsic in our Company and fundamental for achieving excellent performance and results. As a Company in pursuit of sustainability, we attempt to reconcile in a flexible way the need for skills in the short, medium, and long term with people's development opportunities.

In November 2021, the Repsol Technology Lab was recognized with the “HR Excellence in Research” proving Repsol's commitment to human resources excellence policies applied to researchers.

This award motivates us to keep promoting a favorable work environment and enable researchers to carry out their work in the best conditions by adapting human resources policies to the European Charter & Code principles for researchers.

 

 

Steps taken

Repsol has taken the following steps as outlined in the HRS4R:

  • A Steering Committee and a Working Group were established with professionals from different areas and positions in the research field. They were responsible for overseeing and implementing the process, respectively, and their role in this initial phase consisted in carrying out the internal analysis, according to principles set out in the European Charter and the Code of Conduct, while conducting the assessment and defining the Action Plan.
  • The Charter & Code endorsement letter was submitted in May 2020. 
  • A survey was conducted involving all the Repsol Technology Lab researchers to obtain their feedback regarding the principles set out in the Charter and Code. This information allowed us to complete the Gap Analysis and the Action Plan.