“There is strength in diversity and this is doubly true on the labour market, as we are seeing in these difficult times. The state’s job is to support and strengthen diversity by, among other things, motivating employers. Last but not least, it also helps increase empathy and social justice in society,” said Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Chair of TOP 09 and patron of the event.

The live stream conference, which took place in the exclusive offices of the company Dentons, addressed fundamental issues including current diversity and inclusion trends, experiences with diversity, inclusion and work flexibility in the Czech Republic and internationally, even in the Covid-19 context. The conference offered answers to questions such as how to effectively implement and promote diversity strategies in the Czech environment and how to create links between the activities of headquarters and Czech employers’ reality. Conference participants also discussed the most important work-life balance issues in the context of the new EU directive and share experience and good practices in retaining and supporting parents, including rainbow families, on the labour market, even in the difficult current situation.

Conference speakers:

• Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Chair of TOP 09
• Ayesha Rekhi, H.E. Ambassador, Embassy of Canada
• Martin Hasinec, HR Manager, Microsoft, Czech Republic & Slovakia
• Lucy Hughes, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Prague
• Pavlína Kalousová, Corporate Affairs & Communications Director, Plzeňský Prazdroj
• Klára Escobar, HR Director, MONETA Money Bank
• Line Bødker Høegh, Head of HR REEMEA, LEGO Group
• Jana Šrámová, Head of Operative HR Care, Digitalisation and HR 4.0, ŠKODA AUTO
• Radan Šafařík, Director of the Gender Equality Department, Government Office of the Czech Republic

and other interesting and inspiring guests.

DIVERSITY. SOLIDARITY. RESPONSIBILITY.

This year’s second annual Diversity Day was based on these three pillars: three principles whose consistent application is more important now than ever before. Right now, we are seeing that truly responsible companies are capable of not only prospering during times full of challenges but also know how to lend a helping hand where it’s needed most.

“Diversity, meaning variety and heterogeneity – of opinions, approaches, strategies, otherness and searching for paths – cannot function on its own in our working world; it can only function when linked to flexibility and inclusion. This year, alongside these three concepts, there is a powerful element of solidarity.

There are more and more large groups of employees across segments, who need solidarity more than ever before. Employers and society as a whole have to rigorously search for ways to support these groups effectively now,” says Jana Skalková, HR Program Manager, Business for Society.

These four key concepts – diversity, flexibility, inclusion and solidarity – together comprise the Diversity Charter, an EU project under the European Commission that is currently being implemented in more than 20 countries. The Diversity Charter is celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year. In the Czech Republic, more than 80 companies across various segments have joined this vibrant platform. The fundamental principle that the Charter signatories strive to introduce into everyday life and truly adhere to is that every one of us should be able to use their unique skills on the labour market – regardless of our gender, religion, age, family background or the region that we live in. “The Diversity Charter is not a formal set of empty words, it is a true commitment which must be part of a company’s general strategy and the company itself and must be reflected in all aspects of its work. To that effect, Business for Society offers tools and evaluation methods that enable companies to measure progress in the given area and whether they are able to meet their obligations,” says Daniela Němcová, Director of BpS.

“Diversity means connecting and today – more than ever before – there is a strong link to solidarity. Therefore, in spring, we launched the “We Help Heroes, We Become Heroes” initiative. Through that initiative, the signatories responded to the Covid-19 situation by e.g. offering their products to Integrated Rescue System (IRS) staff and offering spare capacity in their kindergartens. The measures introduced by dm, Tesco and Lidl to help their employees also represent a great way of practicing solidarity. And this is how these companies truly supported our entire society. An equally great example is IKEA which earmarked a significant part of its budget and products and offered them to single mothers. Since spring, Microsoft has provided strong support to teachers via Teams so that children can learn online,” says Jana Skalková, enumerating inspiring practical examples, including the approach adopted by Dentons:

“It’s such an honour for us to be able to hold this year’s Diversity Day in our law firm. Diversity is part of our corporate DNA. Dentons demonstrates its commitment to diversity by being the Gold Ambassador for the Diversity Charter and especially by actively contributing to the platform’s agenda. On 9 September, for example, we held a round table in our office titled LEGISLATION FOR FLEXIBILITY 2020–2021 with a team of HR officers who engaged in lively discussions with our lawyers about new amendments to labour legislation. This is how we are trying to help through these challenging Covid-19 times,” explains Michal Hink, Czech Republic Managing Partner, Dentons. “These are just a few examples of many, but we are pleased that the Diversity Charter platform was and is successful in implementing these types of projects,” concludes Jana Skalková.

We are glad that we had invited new signatories of Diversity Charter in Czech Republic:

New golden ambassadors of Diversity Charter:

Komerční banka, a.s.

MONETA Money Bank, a.s.,

VELUX Česká republika, s.r.o.

New signatories:

Hello bank! – BNP Paribas Personal Finance SA

LEGO Group

WATCH: You can watch the recording of the whole event here https://youtu.be/0tbCZNLtvsE

If you would like to watch only the English section of the programme, it starts at minute 12:24.