Embracing diversity

By Bernice Mulligan
Thursday August 07 2008

The word diversity has been bandied about a lot in recent times, but one company that is actually living rather than simply expounding the concept is Citi, which has four locations in Ireland.

“Diversity is part of our DNA,” says Cecelia Ronan, country human resource (HR) officer with Citi. “We have an exceptionally diverse workforce here in Ireland, with 35 different nationalities represented, speaking 18 different languages. As well as this, 52pc of our employees are female and 20pc are non-nationals, with a significant number of working parents also employed.”

Ronan says the focus on diversity is about employee engagement and is driven by the employees themselves, rather than by HR. “The workforce has changed dramatically in Ireland and there is a recognition that you are no longer going to succeed just because you’re the exact same as everyone else.

“Our approach towards diversity has increased productivity and sits very well with our clients. It also helps in terms of attracting and retaining the best staff.”

Citi’s commitment to this cause was celebrated recently during its Diversity Week, which ran from 23 to 27 June in over 40 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Events in Ireland included an art exhibition and a sale of paintings by disabled artists from St John of God, a national costume day and a parenting-skills workshop hosted by the Irish Pre-School Play Association, to name just a few.

As well as this, Citi Ireland has a variety of diversity networking committees: Citi Women, Citi Parents, Citi disAbility and Citi Identity.

“Citi Women was founded six years ago and provides a forum to promote teamwork, networking and a sharing of professional knowledge within Citi, regardless of gender,” explains Ronan.

“Citi Parents allows parents the opportunity to share their experiences and attend parenting courses (which are free), while Citi disAbility helps position Citi as an employer, business partner and neighbour of choice among people with disabilities and their carers.”

The Citi Identity network exists to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all and to celebrate differences within cultures, Ronan explains.

She adds that some of Citi’s Irish employees are also linked with the UK Citi Pride network, which is aimed at the company’s gay, lesbian and transgender employees.

On this note, Citi’s domestic partners policy (which extends benefits to the partners of employees) encompasses both same and opposite-sex couples.

Apart from supporting its members, each network is also very involved in charity work. This year, Console was voted by employees as Citi’s Charity of the Year.

“Each of the networks will fundraise for this cause and whatever they earn, the company will match it,” Ronan says.

© Whitespace Ltd 2008

- Bernice Mulligan

http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/jobs-careers/embracing-diversity-1448491.html