Active advocates: at Philips, the responsibility for an inclusive environment is shared
On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Philips invited all its people to a moment of dialogue and reflection on the different forms of violence that creep in—often unconsciously—not only into private life but also, and above all, into the professional sphere.
Talking about gender-based violence means moving beyond the victim–perpetrator dichotomy. In professional life, violence rarely takes extreme forms; instead, it manifests and grows through small gestures—jokes, silences, glances—that, even without intention, normalize discriminatory attitudes. Recognizing them is the first step toward building relationships grounded in respect and mutual listening.
As Livio Zingarelli, HR Director for Philips Italy, Israel, and Greece, emphasized: “Openly addressing phenomena that shape our society, such as gender-based violence, is a responsibility we feel deeply, both as a company and as a community of people. Addressing these issues in the workplace means acknowledging that our role does not stop at the company’s boundaries: it can have an impact on society, on everyday interactions, and on each of our behaviors. Creating an inclusive work environment, where everyone feels free to express themselves and be heard, is part of this commitment and allows us to unleash the collective energy that fuels growth and innovation at Philips.”
The pyramid of violence and the courage to act
Starting from the model of the pyramid of violence, the speakers invited participants to reflect on how the most serious forms of abuse are rooted in seemingly harmless behaviors: sexist language, an inappropriate joke, the use of gender stereotypes. According to ISTAT data, more than 30% of Italian women say they have experienced harassment or inappropriate comments at work—evidence that reminds us how important it is not to downplay everyday microaggressions. Becoming aware of these dynamics means learning to recognize and correct them, promoting a culture of respect expressed through concrete actions.
Within this journey emerges the figure of the “happy spoilsport”, introduced by writer and trainer Girolamo Grammatico, who took part in the event together with Valentina Dolciotti, DEI consultant and trainer. The happy spoilsport is the person who, when faced with inappropriate behavior, chooses not to remain silent. With respect but with firmness, they decide to “break the party,” refusing to go along with what is wrong and symbolically stating: “If this is the party, I’m not joining in.”
It is not an act of rebellion, but of courage—a small yet powerful gesture that can change the atmosphere of an environment and foster a widespread culture of respect.
Words matter
Words matter because they are never neutral: they can hurt, but they can also build. For this reason, Philips has collaborated for years with Parole O_Stili, an organization promoting conscious and respectful language. Choosing our words carefully means giving shape to the company’s values and helping create a workplace where dialogue and respect become a natural part of how people collaborate.
This commitment also takes concrete form through the tools the company provides, such as the Speak Up policy, which allows people to safely and anonymously report behaviors that do not align with Philips’ principles. As Sara Era, Head of Inclusion & Diversity at Philips Italy, explained: “Speak Up is more than a reporting channel; it is a sign of mutual trust. Giving a voice to those who choose to speak up means strengthening a culture based on respect and listening, where everyone feels part of the collective commitment to create a truly inclusive and safe workplace.”
This initiative by Philips demonstrates that gender-based violence is not fought only by reporting it, but by preventing it every day—through the words we choose, the actions we take, and our ability to listen, including in the workplace.