By prioritising DEI, we are building a more equitable and just work environment, where every employee feels valued and empowered to contribute to their fullest potential.
As a modern workplace, GrECo thrives on recognising the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and talents everyone brings to the organisation. We believe it is our duty to actively embrace the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) because they foster a culture of belonging, innovation, and mutual respect. By prioritising DEI, we are building a more equitable and just work environment, where every employee feels valued and empowered to contribute to their fullest potential. It is crucial in helping us to enhance team performance and creativity and drive better decision-making and problem-solving by incorporating a wide array of viewpoints.
Establishing DEI champions
As part of our ongoing HR & Social Workplace initiatives, we had already implemented a series of DEI initiatives in previous years, including access to health and psychological consultants, the introduction of our mentorship programme Empowering Excellence, and the annual recognition of female colleagues’ voices.
Building on these activities and our core values, this year we created GrECo Allies – a group of colleagues dedicated to championing DEI principles in the workplace. We hosted one-day workshops to enhance knowledge of DEI, ensuring a clear understanding of terminology and recognising different types of workplace discrimination.
The team then established core parameters for a Group-wide DEI strategy, focusing on age, gender, and physical and mental abilities.
Introducing the GrECo DEI Charter
Following this workshop, a new DEI Charter was created. This strategy embodies our company values, recognising that a diverse and inclusive workplace fosters creativity, innovation, and growth, giving us a competitive edge while enriching the professional and personal experiences of our employees.
A fundamental part of our new strategy involves a host of initiatives which we started to roll out at the end of 2024 and will continue to be implemented throughout 2025 and beyond. The first initiative in 2024 focused on female empowerment through confidence coaching where female participants learnt from a DEI coach and each other. The workshop encouraged participants to support other women in amplifying their voices in business scenarios.
Embracing internationality and cultural diversity
Additionally, we hosted a masterclass about the benefits of internationality within GrECo. By promoting intercultural understanding and embracing cultural diversity, we enhance creativity, innovation, and market competitiveness through diverse perspectives and local insights. This approach broadens our skills and makes us more adaptable to customer preferences and market conditions.
Our future visions include plans to further promote internationality, utilize the labor market offerings, and integrate apprentices and career changers. We aim to meet the needs at the group level and align with individual markets to strengthen commonalities and best incorporate differences into client support.
A future united by diversity
Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in our dedication to DEI. Our journey towards a more equitable and inclusive workplace is ongoing, and we are excited about the positive impact it will have on our employees, our organisation, and society at large.
GrECo’s future is one where we remain united by our differences, champion the voices of all, and steadfastly uphold our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Clarifying the terminology
- Diversity is less about what makes our people different – their race, age, socioeconomic status and so on – and more about us understanding, accepting and valuing those differences.
- Equity is about creating fair access, opportunity and advancement for all those different people. Creating a level playing field as it were.
- Inclusion is the extent to which our various team members, employees, and other people feel a sense of belonging an dvalue within a given organisational setting.
