“Schneider Electric has a culture of respect where everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves. The company believes in equal opportunities for everyone, everywhere. Diversity is our heritage and our future.”
There are very few companies in the world that walk the talk when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Schneider Electric (SE) is one of them if not the best of them all. It is one of the rare organizations that has “empowered” and “inclusive” as two of its three core values. This proves that diversity is not only a part of the culture, but inclusion is the identity where all forms of diversity are seen as a real value for the company.
Today, we cover Schneider Electric’s inspiring journey to welcoming diversity and embracing inclusion with operations in over 100 countries:
Commitment To Diversity
What makes SE stands out is its commitment to diversity. The company believes in improving human lives by providing equal opportunities to all. The most important thing about this dedication to diversity is that it is entrenched in the company values as a core philosophy. People from all walks of life, culture, age, gender, and religion are welcomed to become a part of the workforce.
The employees, no matter who they are and where they are in the world, are made to feel completely safe so they can do their best work and thrive. This not only gives employees a sense of belonging but is also one of the leading causes of increased productivity and better focus on work.
Creating Inclusive Practices
Schneider Electric is strictly devoted to inculcating practices that promote inclusion in the company. Out of its many programs, diversity, gender pay equity, pay equity resources that ensure transparency, the global family leaves policy, flexibility principles, and bias-free processes make it to the top of the list.
More than 92% of Schneider Electric employees are covered under the pay equity process, and there are regions where action plans are already complete. Global Family Leave policy launched in 2018 allows everyone to manage their unique life and work by providing time off for occasions that matter the most. Since its launch, it has been implemented in 59 countries covering 75% of employees. There is also a global anti-harassment policy launched in 2018 that reinforces zero tolerance towards harassment. Finally, the Flexibility@work allows much more than just choosing hours of work. It fosters a culture of smart working, including workplace flexibility; working time flexibility, and a flexible/ inclusive working environment.
Not Just A Practice, But Fostering Inclusive Behavior!
The management knows that making people comfortable and understanding their needs is an integral part of inclusive company culture. The employees are free to seek support in different life circumstances and during different life stages.
As a matter of fact, ‘Building the Best Team’ is one of five leadership expectations based on which the company leaders are assessed and promoted. Furthermore, there are programs like “Hidden bias education” in which managers at all levels are encouraged to open their minds and enable a sense of psychological safety for all employees. This is how they succeed in building a strong diverse and inclusive workforce. Not just the managers, but the employees are also periodically made to go through specific training that helps them identify and challenge their innate biases.
Advocating For Everyone
Schneider Electric’s efforts aren’t reserved to the four walls of the company only. It has been active in advocating for causes that matter the most. As a UN Women HeForShe Corporate IMPACT champion, the company has established a D&I Board composed of twelve top leaders. The board is a sounding board for global strategy, as well as an internal and external D&I champion. They are supporting the work of UN Women in creating ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030’, and the United Nations’ commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Schneider Electric also became a signatory to the UN Free & 4 Equal Standards of Business Conduct for LGBTI equality in 2018. Under it, SE stands up for equal rights and fair treatment for everyone. They committed to fostering a culture of respect and equality for the LGBT+ community akin to every other individual in society.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION FOR SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
There is a long list of recognitions and awards that Schneider has received for its tremendous efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion. The company made it to Financial Times Leader in Diversity 2021 for a second time in a row, being 2nd in the industry and ranking 27th out of 870 companies. It was also included in the 2021 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fourth year in a row becoming one of the 17 companies in the industrial sector and one of the 380 global companies.
SE was also included in Fortune World’s Most Admired companies 2021 and Fortune Best Workplaces in Manufacturing and Production in 2019. In 2020, they were also top-ranked by Universum in World’s Most Attractive Employers Index. This is not it, but the list of awards that the company has received for its country-wide operations across the globe is huge and can be found on its website.
“Schneider Electric is a perfect testament for how diversity and inclusion can be nurtured and promoted in workplaces. When a company with 100 global branches can stay true to its goal and steadfast on the journey of DEI then there is no possible reason why other companies can’t do the same.