#UniteforInclusion to make it an everyday reality in the Workplace.

What does it feel like to be included? To feel like you belong? To feel like you’re valued and respected regardless of your gender, age, race, experience or background?

 In this day and age, we should all feel included - it should be a given. Sadly, this isn’t always the case.

 That’s why National Inclusion Week is an important date in the calendar. It helps to raise awareness of the importance of inclusion, particularly in the workplace. 

At HEINEKEN, over the past couple of years, we’ve been working really hard to create a more inclusive and diverse culture. For us to win in the market we need a workforce that reflects our diverse range of customers, consumers and the communities in which we operate.  

We know that organisations which are inclusive and diverse have 42% higher team commitment and 57% higher team collaboration.

 We know, to get the best out of our colleagues and to support their wellbeing, we need to ensure everyone feels valued, able to share their opinions and is included.. This will help us drive better conversations and ultimately better decision making.

 We know that by harnessing diversity of thinking, we’ll continually bring new ideas and fresh challenges into HEINEKEN. This is so important for our ongoing success.

 We need to value our differences and see them as strengths. 

 That’s why  we’ve being working hard over the past couple of years to become a truly inclusive organisation where all our colleagues feel like they belong.

We have a number of  I&D Task Forces which have been instrumental in driving through change on specific topics. As a result we’ve made significant enhancements to our parental leave policies and have introduced ‘Smarter Working’ across the business.  

Our I&D Task Forces harness the passion of our colleagues and enables them to drive through change on specific topics.  Their role is to help colleagues across the business to #JoinTheConversation so that they have a voice and that voice is balanced in our organisation. This year our Task Forces are tackling the topics of Ageing Workforce, Disability, Gender, LGBQT+ and Race & Ethnicity.  Our Gender Task Force for example, has been working hard to bring more gender balance to our business. I was delighted to be invited to speak at the launch event of The HEINEKEN UK Women & Allies Network which is an important step in this journey.  

Our leaders also have a key role to play. It’s up to them to create an inclusive environment in their teams A large part of our Leadership Programme is dedicated to the importance of being present and challenging any unconscious biases our leaders may have, while equipping them with the skills to do this.

Change doesn’t happen overnight. We’re on a journey to create an environment where everyone can voice their opinion, be themselves and feel like they belong. It’s a journey I'm proud to be part of.