“Gender, ethnic origin, social background, religion, ideology, sexual orientation and age all play a significant role in how we see ourselves. To succeed in the future, it is vital to be aware of and promote individual diversity. The evidence is clear that more diverse teams achieve better results and are more innovative. We aim to lead the way in this regard, which is why we have made diversity and inclusion central to our NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030. We advocate a working environment characterised by openness, tolerance and mutual respect, which allows everyone to participate according to their individual talents and abilities and to enjoy working at the company. One thing is clear: each person’s uniqueness forms the basis of ŠKODA AUTO’s diversity! Our goal is to be even more open, warm-hearted and colourful – simply diverse!”
Maren Gräf, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for People & Culture
To mark the European Union’s European Diversity Month, ŠKODA AUTO has been organising numerous activities over recent weeks under the banner ‘Each of us is unique! Diversity is what unites us’. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and everyday life. The programme included events such as the workshop ‘Parents as signposts in the digital world’ in cooperation with Czechitas, as well as online meetings geared towards mothers on parental leave. There were also Diversity Community Meet Ups with invitations extended to supporters and ambassadors of diversity and inclusion. Meetings with prominent figures such as Lenka Králová, ambassador of the Trans*parent association, and Dita Formánková, founder of the Czechitas organisation and initiator of the FUN & RUN event against homophobia in partnership with Prague Pride, rounded off the programme.
ŠKODA AUTO presents its Diversity Strategy 2030
Supporting the NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030, the Czech car manufacturer will soon be presenting its Diversity Strategy 2030. The content is guided by society’s changing expectations of forward-looking employers and clear objectives to be achieved in the areas of diversity and inclusion by the end of the decade. The company thus emphatically underlines its commitment to diversity, equal opportunities and tolerance as key factors in the successful implementation of its ambitious strategic corporate goals. ŠKODA AUTO provides a detailed insight into its progress in terms of diversity and inclusion in the Diversity Report 2021.
ŠKODA AUTO’s Diversity Strategy 2030 covers a range of key areas. Among other things, the company advocates a balanced gender ratio among its employees as well as equal opportunities. By 2030, the company aims for one in four management positions to be held by a woman. In its diversity strategy, ŠKODA AUTO has also pledged to actively support and promote Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). These groups bring together employees who share, for example, sexual orientation, geographical origin or ethnic background. Examples include the groups ‘ŠKODA Proud’ or ‘Internationals@ŠKODA’, where any of the car manufacturer’s staff can help their colleagues from abroad to settle in quickly once they start working for ŠKODA AUTO.
The diversity strategy also focuses on supporting employees in the LGBT+ community, measures for colleagues with physical disabilities, improving intergenerational collaboration and family-friendly policies. In addition, it also includes the Role Model Programme and advocates prejudice-free cooperation in an international working environment.
Partnerships for greater diversity
As one of the largest private-sector employers in the Czech Republic, ŠKODA AUTO supports various initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion. The car manufacturer has also been a signatory to the Czech and European Diversity Charters since 2019. Moreover, the company works closely with CSR Europe’s largest partner, Business for Society, and collaborates with the national coordinator of the Czech version of the Diversity Charter.