From the “Diversity Day” to the “More than Diversity Week”

Working with different people with various perspectives, professional experiences, academical backgrounds, ethnicities, personalities, opinions or beliefs is part of everybody’s life. At Uniper, diversity is reality and something valuable, something everybody contributes to. Therefore, one “Diversity Day” is no longer enough to talk about the relevant topic “Diversity and Inclusion” – the “More than Diversity Week” came into life for the first time.

Ten different events took place over three days, from September 21 to 23, 2021: Presentations, keynote speeches, panel discussions and workshops with employee communities, our management team such as our CFO Tiina Tuomela and COO David Bryson or different departments within Uniper such as Market Analytics, Business Change or Operational Excellence.

“This year, we wanted to create more awareness for diversity for all of us, but also announce that it is time to go one step further. We also want to pay more attention to equity and therefore, we added the new term to our DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) strategy”, said Yasin Efe, Trainee in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team at Uniper, who led and hosted the week.

“Uniper is constantly striving to create an environment for all employees in which they can feel comfortable, develop in their uniqueness, feel that they belong and value. With the added component equity, which means fairness, we ensure that everyone has access to equal opportunities, the same fair treatment and development possibilities – no matter how old they are, if they work on a site or in the office, if they have kids or not”, he explained.

The DEI strategy is about embracing diversity, living inclusion, and fostering equity. In this way, everybody can fulfil their full potential unhindered – and Uniper can reach its full potential as a company, gather new and different ideas, increase the innovativeness, productivity, and performance. “During the week, we reached more than 250 people: leaders, people from physical sites or offices, from different countries. The feedback during and after the sessions has been consistently positive.

The people loved the atmosphere, even though all events have been held virtually because of the Covid-19 restrictions. We used digital tools to facilitate the engagement and interaction. The participants experienced the atmosphere of the events as great for sharing, speaking up, coming up with new ideas as well as expressing feelings and beliefs. Everything according to the motto: DEI is about all of us and for all of us”, summarized Yasin Efe the success of the “More than Diversity” Week 2021.