Diversity

With approximately 100.000 employees, men and women of different ages with different preferences and backgrounds, spread all over the world, diversity is a given. How well we manage diversity is up to us.

We deliberately work to create an inclusive culture where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, age or sexual orientation.

An inclusive workplace is a workplace which is free from discrimination and where we treat each other with respect. As such our diversity work is closely linked with the Volvo Way and Volvo Group Code of Conduct. It is part of our foundation: what we are and what we stand for.


Step by step improvement
Our recruitment processes are transparent – for instance we openly post all positions, we offer “Diversity and Inclusive Leadership” training for managers, and have built diversity networks.

Diversity networks are employee and managers resource groups addressing different diversity dimensions. Presently we have networks for women employees, women professionals, women managers, employees who are gay or lesbians (Volvo Eagle), and cross cultural networks.

In addition we have two executive networks: Volvo GLOW, a global network for women top executives addressing global leadership and intercultural management and the Walk the Talk Network, a network for men top executives promoting gender equality. The diversity networks help Volvo Group increase employee engagement, develop talent and develop business.


The key to our success
We see that diversity and inclusion is crucial for our business success. Numerous external studies and our own in-house examples show that there are clear business benefits to be had from increasing diversity and inclusion: it leads to better financial performance, it leads to increased innovation, it helps avoid “group think”, it leads to increased employee satisfaction and engagement, and it helps us better connect to our client base and different communities of people.

Because of this, increasing diversity and inclusion is one of our strategic objectives, and for years we have systematically worked towards making sure we improve in this area. As a result of our efforts we see a growing number of non-Swedes and women on our top-300 positions.

With all this said and done, being part of a diverse and inclusive team is simply just more fun and stimulating!