DHL marks Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Week

DHL marked the importance of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) with its 'DEIB Week.'

"Let’s carry the spirit of this celebration forward, integrating the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into our daily lives and impacting the world around us," commented DHL.

"Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the heart of everything we do at Deutsche Post DHL Group. However you identify, whether you come from, and whatever your gender, abilities, age and experience or beliefs, you can contribute, and you belong," said the company. "We're continuously making Deutsche Post DHL a great company to work for all."

A DHL colleague commented: "I feel proud to work for a company that has DEIB so high on their agenda."

Comfortable bringing our authentic selves to work

DHL says that belonging is a feeling that everyone can share: "It's being comfortable at work and connected to our colleagues while contributing to a meaningful purpose. We can create a safe environment where we feel comfortable bringing our authentic selves to work. We can grow in our roles and deliver our best every day. We are all different, we are all unique, and we are all Deutsche Post DHL. Together we can ensure that our company is the place where everyone belongs."

Employees feel a sense of belonging at DHL

DHL colleagues shared why they feel a sense of belonging at DHL:

"I belong because I'm always accepted and respected for who I am."
"I belong because I'm part of an international family in which all people, regardless of hierarchy and job, meet at the same level."
"I belong because I feel accepted, and I don't need to shout from the rooftops to make a difference."
"I belong because I can communicate how my disability affects me, and I'm never afraid to ask for help."
"I belong because I am proud to work for a company where I'm never judged on my appearance."
"I belong because I respect everyone, whatever their age, and they respect me."
"I feel that my voice is always heard despite any cultural differences in my team."
"I value the company's ability to make me feel safe, and they trust in my decisions."

Diversity & inclusivity

As a global business, DHL sees strength in diversity - not only in terms of gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or any other characteristic protected under law - but through all the differences that make us unique individuals.

The diversity of DHL's people mirrors the diversity of its customers and the communities it is part of.

DHL promotes an inclusive environment – guided by mutual respect, openness, honesty, trust and cooperation – so that everybody feels accepted and can be their best every day.

Gender Diversity - DHL's diversity policies and practices are designed to tackle gender stereotypes, encouraging, enabling and empowering women to excel in roles once dominated by men. Today, more than one in five middle and upper management positions is held by a woman. And the number is growing all the time. Across the Group, there are numerous programs to support and inspire female colleagues, ranging from networking events, career programs to talent pools. Not forgetting the Women at DHL Global Forwarding initiative, which won a gold award at the internationally renowned Stevie Awards for Women in Business.
Cultural Diversity - DHL people come from all four corners of the world. Across the Group, DHL employs people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds – with 175 nations represented at its German sites alone. That cultural diversity is perhaps most evident each year during its Global Diversity & Inclusion Week, when thousands of participants in every area of the business take time out to celebrate and share their culture with colleagues through the DHL internal social channel.
Colleagues with disabilities - Around the world, DHL's commitment to inclusivity involves creating great career opportunities for people with disabilities too. In Germany, the percentage of DHL's workforce with some form of disability is 9.1 per cent, which equates to more than to 15,000 people – almost double the number we're required to employ by law.
LGBTQIA+ colleagues - As an organization, DHL is committed to promoting an inclusive, cooperative environment that empowers individuals to achieve their career goals irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In 2008, DHL established its internal RainbowNet network, providing a platform for LGBTQIA+ employees to share their experiences. The network has members cross the globe, and is there to support employees and managers on all matters related to coming out at work.

Defining diversity

DHL shares its definitions of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Diversity embodies all the differences and similarities such as gender, ethnic and national origin, race*, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation that make us unique individuals. This includes bringing together people with diverse backgrounds, skills, experiences and perspectives across all levels of an organization.
Equity is about providing individual levels of support and opportunities to meet the different needs of each and every employee. Equity also refers to the fair treatment for all by identifying and eliminating inequities and barriers.
Inclusion is about creating and maintaining a work environment in which all individuals feel welcomed, respected and valued, regardless of who they are.
Belonging is about feeling comfortable and connected at work and enabling people to contribute to shared and meaningful purposes. This creates safe environments where everyone can bring their authentic self to work.

Diversity, Equity & Belonging means always beng heard

The DHL group's DEIB commitment has long been recognized by external organizations. "We are proud to collaborate with our dedicated partners to advance inclusivity beyond the borders of our company," said DHL.

The recognition comes from groups such as:

Beyond Gender Agenda
Catalyst
Charta der vielfalt
European Diversity Awards
Great Place to Work
Prout At Work
Top Employers Institute
Total E-Quality Diversity

A global commitment to Diversity, Equity & Belonging

DHL's global commitment to DEIB spans six key diversity pillars: Ability, Ethnic and National Origin, Gender, Generations, LGBTQ+, and Religion.

"We also consider other diversity aspects such as educational background, social background, diversity of mindsets as well as regional and local priorities such as ‘Veterans’. We do not consider these pillars to be exclusive silos, typically they overlap, intersect and influence each other," explained the company.