The New Diversity Index Shows that Diversity Charter Businesses Have Been Directly Influencing Current Trends in the Labour Market

International Conference “European Diversity Day 2022 – Diversity and Inclusion – Bridges to the Future of Work”

The international conference “European Diversity Day 2022” took place in the House of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic on Friday, 27th May 2022. The title of this year’s conference was “Diversity and Inclusion – Bridges to the Future of Work”. The conference was part of the “European Month of Diversity in the Czech Republic” traditionally held in the month of May.

The conference was organised by Byznys pro společnost (Business for Society), the national coordinator of the European Diversity Charter, and was held under the auspices of Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

The main topic of European Diversity Day – “diversity and inclusion, bridges to the future or work” ran throughout the conference. A key theme was the context of the future of work and the use of diversity and inclusion as the so-called “safe harbours” to facilitate the transition in the labour market taking place as a result of ongoing dynamic technological changes, among other things. The conference also focused on the key priorities and tools for the support and integration of Ukrainian refugees/citizens into the Czech labour market and society.      

“I see diversity within society as a very important strength and invaluable source of inspiration, not a weakness and obstacle to the development of society. That is why I try to promote it around me in every possible way, and it is also why I decided to give the European Diversity Day my patronage,” said Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Speaker of Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic in her address to the conference participants.

The conference was opened by Jana Havlíková, Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Innovation of the Czech Republic. In her opening address she highlighted the very tight links between technological and social innovations, and diversity and inclusion, which themselves trigger diversity and innovation.

Pavel Štern, Programme Director at Business for Society then introduced the most recent Diversity Index 2021 data and trends, the index was prepared by Business for Society. The index indicates the level of diversity and inclusion set up and managed by companies. The index data help employers to get an overview of the level of D&I integration into their corporate culture. The most recent Diversity Index data indicate a strong positive shift in how companies that uphold the Diversity Charter principles approach this topic in all the monitored business segments. These topics include:

• Equal representation of men and women

• Family circumstances of an employee – supporting parents at work

• Age diversity – supporting different age groups of employees

• LGBT diversity support

• Top management support for the development and implementation of diversity

Companies and businesses find equal representation of women in top management positions to be ever more important. They also ensure a high level of support for working parents. The results indicate that almost 80% of the Diversity Charter signatories find it vital to create tolerant work environment welcoming for all regardless their sexual orientation. Age diversity and support of different age groups at the workplace are also very important. Overall, 76% of the companies and businesses participating in the index understand that parenthood is a critical milestone in their employees’ life and 90% of them try to accommodate working parents. Companies do not want to lose their experienced male and female employees, so they create conditions for parents to be motivated to come back to work.

Barbora Pencová, HR Director, Provident shared the company’s experience with diversity: “Diversity is a natural part of our life at Provident. I say natural on purpose, because we actually live it and it is evidenced by the actual numbers, whether it is equal representation of women and men, equal treatment or equal pay at all levels of the organisation. After all, integrating marginalised groups back into society is in the heart of our business mission. We are happy to work together with the Diversity Charter, which brings us together with others, who share the same values.”

Albert also shares the opinion that an inclusive approach benefits business. “We have been supporting an inclusive approach and diversity throughout our team of twenty thousand employees as we know that diversity promotes a good atmosphere in the team, good performance and cooperation,” said Ctirad Nedbálek, Human Resources Director of the company.

Integration of Ukrainian refugees into the labour market and society

European and transatlantic cooperation in the labour market and society, and diversity and inclusion as the key values for the future of work were also discussed. The conference reacted to the current and important challenge the Czech Republic is facing right now, namely – the integration and inclusion of Ukrainian citizens fleeing the zones affected by the war into the European labour market and society.

“At this difficult time of the war in Ukraine we see that inclusion and diversity have taken on even more humanly essential aspects. We wish for the inclusion of the people seeking safety in the Czech Republic to be successful. Strong coordination between the state, companies and NGOs is of utmost importance in our opinion. Refugee integration is not just our moral duty, it may be a very good impulse for the Czech Republic too,” said Erika Vorlová, Chief Services Officer of GasNet.

“The present situation shows the immense importance of topics like diversity and inclusion. Being open, looking at others without bias and with respect and ability to adapt are absolutely key values for the new world of work. I know from my own experience that an environment that welcomes differences is far more innovative and flexible vis a vis the coming changes,” added Ctirad Lolek, Executive Director of Human Resources, Komerční banka.

The European Diversity Day also included the European Charter Accession Ceremony with the Speaker of the House of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, who was present as seven new companies became members of the Diversity Charter.

The new members of the Diversity Charter Are:

Atlas Copco Services, Heimstaden Czech s.r.o., JTI International, Kyndryl CZ, MSD Czech Republic s.r.o., Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and Zentiva Czech Republic.

By signing the Diversity Charter, companies and businesses voluntarily and publicly commit to developing the principles of openness, a fair working environment, anti-discrimination and diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The conference is organised annually with the support of the European Commission and DG Justice.

The main partners of this year’s European Diversity Day were GasNet, Komerční banka, Albert Česká republika and Provident Financial.

Media contact:
Lucia Hronková
Communications Manager
Email: info@byznysprospolecnost.cz
Phone: +420 604 835 168
Byznys pro společnost/Business for Society
www.diverzita.cz
www.byznysprospolecnost.cz

About Business for Society/Byznys pro společnost:

BPS – Business for Society is the largest alliance of companies promoting a responsible and sustainable approach to business in the Czech Republic. Being part of international structures, BPS monitors new sustainability trends, localises international standards and opens new topics that businesses should focus on in the Czech Republic. BPS is a national partner organisation of CSR Europe – the European business network for Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility with over 10,000 participating companies in member states endorsing a responsible and sustainable approach.

BPS brings together major businesses representing over 250,000 employees and thousands of suppliers with a significant impact on society. BPS signatories are amongst the leaders within sustainability and responsibility in business. BPS helps them integrate responsibility and sustainability into the heart of their business. Moreover, BPS initiates discussions with stakeholders and supports exchange of ideas and best practices.

As the national coordinator of the European Diversity Charter, BPS is a member of the European platform under the DG Justice and works with EU Member States and the European Commission on the development of diversity and inclusion in the labour market and society. The organisation regularly takes part in workshops and conferences and is involved in the preparation of expert materials at the European level.