DEI Corporate Studies at ISS Group

"At ISS, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace for all"

My perspective on D and I is that so much of it is centred on respect. We all know the reasons why we advocate for it and why it’s important and the business case, but most of all, it’s about decent human respect for other individuals.

I believe D and I are still and, in some cases, ever more important in our organizations. We need to be able to attract and retain great people and be responsible companies.

The last 5 years have brought around much change, and we live in times of much change from the social justice campaigns, which resonated in 2020, to anti-DEI backlash in some parts of the world at the present time. It is important to navigate this space to remain close to remembering that we work with human beings, and as such, treating human beings with respect will always remain key to productivity and growth.

DEI Projects

We are excited to share several impactful projects underway. One key initiative involves the comprehensive revision of our Global People Standards, enhancing how we engage with our workforce. This document now offers clear guidelines on Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB), Employee Value Proposition (EVP), our Code of Conduct, and social sustainability practices. Its primary aim is to unify direction for our People and Culture teams worldwide.

Additionally, a member of our team is spearheading a global project titled "Qualifications for All". 

Our goal is to provide qualifications to 100,000 of our frontline team members and their families by the end of 2025. We have already reached over 67,000 participants, making this initiative highly popular. This effort is designed to foster social mobility by enhancing educational and qualification opportunities for our employees and their families.

Looking ahead, we aim to scale this project further and integrate social mobility into our global initiatives. We are also committed to supporting living wages and are currently assessing how to implement this across our organization in the coming years. This commitment will not only improve financial sustainability for our people but also expand opportunities for growth and advancement.

Women Empowerment

At ISS, we are committed to advancing women’s empowerment through a range of initiatives. We have proudly endorsed the UN Women Empowerment Principles at both the group and country levels, signalling our clear intent to foster gender equality. Building on this foundation, we have established a global Gender Balance Employee Resource Group sponsored by two of our executive team members. This group plays a pivotal role in cascading our efforts to individual countries and ensuring strong connections throughout our organization.

Our global group leads thought leadership initiatives, shares best practices, and identifies development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring programs. We also run impactful campaigns, such as International Women’s Day and Movember, while integrating an intersectional lens across all our global Employee Resource Groups, including Pride.

We collaborate with several external organizations, such as LEAD and the Danish Diversity Council, as well as similar partners in each country. To support our teams, we provide resources like a playbook for building gender balance and conversation guides. Our initiatives also include bias training and engaging our executives in thought leadership sessions.

We monitor gender balance data by country and function, setting targets and implementing strategies for meaningful change. We are committed to challenging stereotypes within our industry at all levels. Our policies on gender balance, equal opportunities, and discrimination and harassment are clearly defined and integrated into our Code of Conduct.

Career development is a priority, and we offer various initiatives, including mentoring, sponsorship, and tailored career plans. We have set a publicly stated target of achieving a 40-60 female-to-male gender balance at all management levels by the end of 2025, with full support from our executive team and board.

Accessible & Inclusive Environment

We are dedicated to enhancing the experience of our employees with disabilities. Our executive team has made it a priority to transform our organization into an accessible and inclusive environment for persons with disabilities (PWD). While we do not have a specific global target for representation, we recognize that at least 10% of our workforce comprises PWD.

To support this commitment, we have established a global Employee Resource Group (ERG) called "Abilities", which celebrates and supports the diverse abilities of all our employees. Over the past two years, we have developed an "Abilities Guide," launched globally for all managers and people leaders, which includes an accommodations guide to facilitate necessary adjustments.

This past year, we also introduced a Neurodivergent Guide, distributed across all regions, to provide essential support for neurodivergent individuals in our workplaces. We actively raise awareness through international observances, guest speakers, and partnerships with organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), Purple Space, and Valuable 500, participating in mentoring projects that empower our PWD community.

Our clear equal opportunity policies are available globally, reinforcing our aim to be a disability-confident employer and a preferred workplace for all minorities. We view this as a significant opportunity for ISS and our workforce.

We are committed to embedding accessibility into everything we do, partnering with Mobility Mojo to ensure our spaces are accessible and to extend this commitment to our customers as well.

Pride in Action

We proudly stand as supportive and empowering employers for the LGBTQIA community. Our commitment is reflected in our clear policies, which are integrated into our Code of Conduct training and People Standards. We are members of Workplace Pride and various LGBTQIA organizations worldwide, depending on regional context.

We celebrate Pride Month globally and have established guidelines for countries where public celebrations are not feasible. In these instances, we implement an embassy model, allowing our employees to express their identity comfortably within our spaces. Our Global Employee Resource Group (ERG) has spearheaded numerous initiatives over the past few years, participating in Pride marches from Sydney to London to France.

In 2023, we conducted a global assessment across 23 countries, partnering with Workplace Pride to contribute to their Index. We plan to conduct a similar assessment in 2025. We also signed the Declaration of Amsterdam, reaffirming our dedication to LGBTQIA rights.

Our initiatives include raising awareness about pronouns and trans pride, featuring keynote speakers, and hosting community events to foster understanding. We also actively support Pride NGOs in various countries and facilitate community outreach.

Our executive sponsors for Pride are vocal advocates, reinforcing these important messages throughout our organization. We continuously prioritize psychological safety, ensuring that ISS is a place where everyone can be their authentic selves.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of TDX Consulting or the Workplace in Action® program. The content and ideas presented by the authors are their personal opinions and should not be considered the official policy or stance of TDX Consulting or the Workplace in Action® program.