INCLUSION IS BOTH AN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL VALUE: WINNERS OF THE FIRST HBLF DIVERSITY AND FAIR WORKPLACE TENDER SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH THE NEW RECOGNITION

For the first time, we announced the winners of the HBLF Diverse and Fair Workplace tender, Hungarian companies that do not only talk about the importance of gender equality, but are also devoted to promote it every day with targeted measures to enforce the principles of inclusion. This unique and measurable results-based recognition rewards real commitment and effectiveness in the field of DEI. We asked the top three winners of the "companies receiving excellent recognition" category about their participation in the competition.

The companies receiving the highest scores this year were Shell Hungary Zrt., Tesco Hungary and bp: we wanted to find out from the companies' representatives why they decided to apply for this recognition and what the HBLF Diverse and Fair Workplace title means to them.

"Since 2002, we have prepared an equal opportunity plan every year. In addition to the feedback from our colleagues, our development and results are also confirmed by this recognition. The participation of women in management is an area where we have made great progress, as since 2016 the proportion of women and men in our board of directors and senior management has been 50-50%. We were curious about where we are in Hungary today in terms of diversity - this recognition provides great feedback on that. I think the data-based approach also points out where we still need to improve, helps us define priorities and plans for the coming years. After all, Shell's strategy is to be one of the most inclusive and diverse companies." - said Andrea Istenesné Solti, chairman of Shell Hungary Zrt board.

In connection with the tender, many people highlighted the importance of measurement. In the field of diversity, the experts of EY Human Consulting developed a unique methodology in Hungary, contributing to the realization of the title by creating an objective criteria system and evaluating the applications.

"We are a company where we believe that it is not enough to act, but to set and measure goals and publish data transparently. We are perhaps the only retailer in Hungary that has published gender pay gap data for the 4th year in a row, and we also publish our Diversity Report and our Food Waste Report each year. We believe that real results can be achieved if we measure, if we set real and relevant goals and come up with activities that help us achieve these goals. The methodology developed by EY, which forms the basis of the HBLF Diverse and Fair Workplace recognition, was a unique, objective and transparent tender on the market for us." - said Nóra Hevesi, communications director of Tesco Hungary.

And, furthermore, what does the recognition mean in terms of strengthening the employer brand?

"Personally, it is important to many of my fellow managers and colleagues that we really are a fair and inclusive workplace. As a result, we are extremely proud when, during such a tender, we, ourselves can look at our own activities from a slightly different perspective - all this makes us enormously proud." - added Nóra Hevesi.

In addition to employees, obtaining such a title can also be beneficial from the point of view of recruitment.

"We are very happy with this kind of feedback, as it also confirms that bp is an attractive company on the labor market. A significant part of this is diversity, which is a value not only for us, but also for those looking for a job." - said Andrea Joó, specialist of bp Fleet Business Enablement Europe.

"It was a great pleasure and honor to be selected in this competition. This truly reflects that diversity is a value that also encompasses our daily work and embraces our activities. In addition to the internal visions, it also serves as external feedback on our goals related to inclusion for the future." - added Gabriella Paksi, bp People & Culture Senior consultant.

Serious work was happening in the background: the experts of EY Human Consulting developed an objective criteria system, and by evaluating the applications, they helped create the recognition.

"Diversity, Fairness and Inclusion form the basis of our work both "in-house", as we work together with our colleagues, and in our external relations - with our clients and various professional and social communities with whom we cooperate. We feel it is our duty and responsibility to promote positive change, and we support this with our global standards and local programs. We were very happy to develop the measurement system for Hungary as well, and we are confident that with a group of participants that expands every year, as well as by monitoring with additional benchmarks and our consulting work, we can support organizations in their further development." – added Margit Farkas, the leading Partner of EY's HR consulting area.

"Diversity is not an abstract concept, but an essential element of corporate culture that offers measurable results. EY Hungary's methodology helps in the evaluation of activities related to inclusion, thus providing useful feedback at any point in the DEI evolution. We are proud that so many people applied in the first year, and we hope that the recognition will generate similar interest in the future." - said Marianna Kukely, executive director of HBLF.

The complete list of winners can be found in our press release. Congratulations to all applicants – let's work together for inclusion, let the future belong to everyone!