Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)

Diversity and inclusion make for a successful company

DEI initiatives create a competent and professional working environment while also offering business benefits. These range from increased innovative power and better market access to increased employee satisfaction and loyalty.

Through targeted measures and strategies in these areas, companies can not only strengthen their competitiveness, but also make a positive contribution to society. Commitment to DEI is therefore an investment in the future viability and sustainability of companies.


What does DEI mean exactly?

  • Diversity (Diversity) refers to the recognition and appreciation of different characteristics of people such as gender, ethnic origin, age, religion, sexual orientation and disability. In a business context, diversity means that companies integrate a wide range of perspectives and ideas. 
  • Equity (Equal Opportunity) goes beyond equal treatment and ensures that all employees are given the empowerment and opportunities to successfully use their full workforce. Barriers are identified and removed that could prevent certain groups from reaching their full potential.
  • Inclusion (Inclusion) means creating a working environment in which all employees feel valued and included. It ensures that everyone has the opportunity to participate actively and fully in working life.

    Contact

    Mag.a Ulrike Losmann-Hartl, MSc
    Head of Diversity Equity Inclusion Business Unit
    E: ulrike.losmann-hartl@oesb.at

    Austria-wide

    100 percent equality pays off

    There are still significant income and career differences between women and men in the Austrian labor market. The consequence of this is that both the employment potential on the Austrian labor market and the potential of companies and their workforces remain partially untapped. However, the full use of this potential has enormous advantages - for employees, companies and Austria as a business location.

    Our offer

    The management consulting program 100 percent equality pays off is financed 100% by the European Social Fund and the Federal Ministry of Labor and is working on positioning the issue of equality as a labor market and operational necessity.

    In this consulting program, companies are supported professionally, confidentially and completely free of charge in developing transparent income processes and remuneration systems and fair career opportunities that promote equality. The implementation succeeds with the help of the proven specialists in the team. In addition, selected employees will find advice and coaching on career and career planning in the program. Furthermore, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to take part in events for companies and employees face to face or in a digital format throughout Austria, to network, to exchange views on the topic of equality and through specialist input from experts and to learn from each other.

    a soul

    The aim of the consultation is to support companies in exploiting their full potential - both within the existing workforce and on the labor market.

    Transparency and fairness are signs of modern employers, companies use it to address future employees who have an above-average interest in development and innovation and thus use 100 percent of the talent pool.

    The consulting firms bab management consultancyDeloitteConsulting and  ÖSB Consulting form the Austria-wide working group and are 100 percent responsible for the implementation of the project - equality pays off. 

    contact

    Mag.a Ulrike Losmann-Hartl, MSc

    E: ulrike.losmann-hartl@oesb.at

    Further information

    Upper Austria, Styria and Tyrol

    Equal Pay Network

    The Equal Pay Network project understands equal pay to mean equal opportunities for a fair lifetime income and thus goes well beyond equal pay between women and men. Austria is still one of the EU countries with the largest gender pay gap. In addition to the gender pay gap, there is the gender hours gap and the gender overall earnings gap. Taking all three factors into account, women in Austria earn 44,2% less than men. The Equal Pay Network networks initiatives that promote an improvement in women's lifetime income. To achieve this, all drivers of gender-specific income differences are included.

    Our offer

    In four regions of Austria Capacity building measures are implemented to strengthen the skills, resources and competencies of individuals, organizations or communities and thus improve their performance, effectiveness and resilience. These are linked to various existing structures: specialist inputs, digital tools, joint practice, training, consulting, networking, collaboration, events, etc. Both technical-functional and social capacities can be built up.

    contact

    Mag.a Ulrike Losmann-Hartl, MSc

    E: ulrike.losmann-hartl@oesb.at

    Austria-wide

    FairPlusService

    The management consulting program FairPlusService is 100% financed by the European Social Fund from the investment priority gender equality, and by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economics. The focus is on the higher qualification and professional careers of employed women with low formal qualifications in companies in the so-called low-wage sectors such as retail, cleaning, gastronomy, care and education. The current shortage of workers and skilled workers in the professional groups and service sectors that are so relevant to Austria as a business location makes the program highly relevant and contains potential for solutions.

    The innovative FairPlus consulting approach combines business consulting and business networking with female empowerment, training for employees and communication. This is how companies meet their need for competent employees and women take their professional development into their own hands. The achievements of companies and employees in the service industries become visible through public relations work. You experience recognition and appreciation. Companies present themselves as competent employers. Competent employers offer fair working conditions and career opportunities. You have advantages on the job market in the competition for dedicated and loyal employees.

    Our offer

    In four Austrian key regions, Arlberg region, Salzkammergut, Industrieviertel-Süd and Wien-Nord-Weinviertel, more than 60 companies receive individual advice, compact training units for women and career coaching for female employees. Employers and employees participating in the project are networked in peer-to-peer events and can present their successes in project communication to the public.

    In the consultation, management consultants work together with company management, HR managers and employees to develop strategies and concrete procedures for the implementation of further training, higher qualifications and careers. Career coaches are available to the employed women.

    By encouraging higher qualifications and professional careers, we contribute to equality between women and men with FairPlusService.

    The advice and all services from the project are free of charge for companies and employees thanks to the funding from the ESF and BMAW.

    FairPlusService will run from 2020-2023 ÖSB Consulting with the subcontractors ABZ * AUSTRIA , update training and  ÖSB Social Inovation implemented.

    contact

    Gudrun Koban
    Project Management
    E: gudrun.koban@fairplusservice.at

    Further information

    Styria

    Grazer Fonds für Aufstieg und Entwicklung

    The Graz Fund for Advancement and Development initiative offers working Graz residents between the ages of 18 and 64 with low household incomes the opportunity to receive individual qualification funding of up to €2.500 per person for job-related further training.

    The initiative, which is financed by the Social Welfare Office of the City of Graz, Department of Labor and Employment, and implemented by ÖBS Consulting GmbH, aims to improve the opportunities on the job market for those affected and thereby ease their financial situation.

    Our offer

    • Free application and qualification advice
    • Supervision in making use of the funding
    • Networking point between educational institutions and funding recipients
    • Processing of funding management
    • Informing the public through appropriate measures

    target audience

    People between 18 and 64 years of age who …
    ... are self-employed or gainfully employed,
    … have been resident in Graz for at least 12 months and
    … have a low household income

    This measure is financed by the social welfare office of the city of Graz, department work and employment.

    contact

    Further information