Indicator history

An increased number of companies and organisations recognise the potential of a diverse workforce. Accordingly, a number of projects steps up to this opportunity and works towards the implementation of relevant measures within businesses and institutions. The following examples constitute some exemplary good practices in this regard:

- Diversity and Equal Opportunities at the Workplace: Within the scope of this non-governmental action co-funded by the European Commission, the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights in cooperation with businesses works towards an efficient implementation of non-discrimination rules, also, and notably, with regard to the structural dimensions of discrimination. On the basis of the legal framework to combat discrimination and theoretical concepts to deal with diversity at the workplace, the project is carried out together with model companies to develop concrete implementation strategies. In particular, the project aims to encourage organisational development processes which embrace the principles of equality mainstreaming. In order to be carried out in practice the strategies tailored to the needs of the respective organisations are placed at the companies’ disposal and then integrated into a handbook for dealing with diversity and establishing equal opportunities at the workplace. In addition, a network of companies has been established whose objective is to increasingly address the challenges of diversity among their employees and customers.

- DiversCity Award: The Chamber of Commerce Vienna established the DiversCity Award as a non-governmental action to reward business commitment to diversity, inclusion and non-discrimination. It is geared to Vienna-based businesses implementing exemplary initiatives to promote and benefit from staff and customer diversity. For the first time in Austria, all dimensions of diversity are considered: gender, age, ethnic belonging, religion, sexual orientation and disability. By putting the spotlight on companies that recognise the value of workplace diversity as an important resource in their abilities to learn and meet today’s challenges, the Award sets benchmarks to be followed. It was first granted in January 2010 in the categories of small and medium enterprises, large enterprises and ethnic economies.

- WIP complete – German as a Commercial Language, Intercultural Learning, Practical Application for Third-Country Nationals: This non-governmental project targets third-country nationals wishing to enhance their employability through better German language skills. Designed as a three or six-month course at the Institute of Business Promotion Vienna, the project aims to equip unemployed migrants and those already in a professional working situation with sufficient language and intercultural skills to compete in today’s job market. The course consists of three modules – German as a Commercial Language, Know How: Working and Living in Austria, Practical Exercises – all of which aim to strengthen the participants’ self confidence in matters of language and communication. Should the project prove successful, it will be expanded to Austria as a whole.

- PROVIEL. Competence network: apprenticeship: This non-governmental action is targeted at businesses located in the region of Linz and Wels (Upper Austria) that train apprentices with a migration background or are willing to do so in the near future. The aim of the project is to tackle the frequent problem of conflict-ridden situations in multi-ethnic companies and to bring about improvement by promoting mutual respect and appreciating the different geographical, cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the apprentices. The range of services provided within the framework of the project encompasses intercultural trainings, seminars and workshops by qualified professionals for all parties concerned as well as networking with participating companies. But, above all, teams-of-two should be installed among apprentices, with each team assigned at least one apprentice with a migration background. This should provide an excellent opportunity for the apprentices to explore and practice the development of intercultural competences and conflict-solving skills. Ultimately, the project should contribute to a positive working atmosphere as well as allow a beneficial use of cultural differences.

- CIC – Carinthian International Club: The overall objective of this non-governmental action is to ensure better integration of highly qualified expatriates in the Carinthian economy to counter the drop in the numbers of skilled labour. Thus, it is mainly aimed at international employees in Carinthian industry and science with the intention of giving them and their family advice on living and working in Carinthia. In addition to an online guide, the network makes a chat room available for its members including individual international workers as well as for the companies and institutions employing them. A welcome package for new expatriates encompassing, inter alia, relevant information on language courses, (inter-) cultural events and job-training initiatives targeted at their families should help new arrivals gain a foothold in Carinthian society. Furthermore, for member organisations, the project envisages the possibility to exchange good practice and jointly develop new management tools in the field of intercultural management.

Sources:

• http://bim.lbg.ac.at/de/aktuelles/vielfalt-und-chancengleichheit-betrieb
• http://wko.at/wien/DiversCity/index.html
• http://www.wifi.at/uploads/WIP_Folder_Trk_Serb_28024_DE.pdf
• http://www.vfq.at/index.php?id=568
• http://www.cic-network.at/