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Inclusion Networking Lunch with myAbility

9. September 2024

The event at the Forum Alpbach centred around an open and honest exchange of ideas on the inclusion of people with disabilities in working life.

Inclusion Networking Lunch with myAbility
Stories

Together with myAbility, we hosted an ‘Inclusion Networking Lunch’ as part of the European Forum Alpbach, which took place at the end of August. Around 30 guests from business, civil society and politics were welcomed by Sigrid Heinzle (Vice President People & Culture at Greiner), Feri Thierry (Secretary General of the European Forum Alpbach) and Wolfgang Kowatsch (Co-Founder of myAbility). The focus was on an open and honest exchange about the inclusion of people with disabilities in working life, from which all participants were able to benefit.

Sigrid Heinzle reported that according to EU statistics, more than 100 million people, i.e. more than 20 per cent of the European Union's population, have a disability. Although this figure is well known among the participants, it is always met with astonishment. ‘100 million people is an incredible pool of talent,’ says Sigrid Heinzle.

Sigrid Heinzle
Vice President People & Culture at Greiner

‘If we manage to create better framework conditions for people with disabilities at Greiner, this will have a number of positive effects. It can have an enormously positive impact on our corporate culture, we can counteract the labour shortage, there are economic advantages in terms of equalisation tax - and in many European countries. And above all: it's the right thing to do! As a family business, we have an enormous social responsibility and are committed to equal opportunities - which of course also includes people with disabilities.’

In the open discussion round, there were also a number of lessons learnt from other companies that we can benefit from:

  • Emphasising the benefits of disability inclusion rather than focusing on barriers, obstacles and challenges.
  • Never forget the people behind the numbers, recognise the benefits of disability inclusion for the company's overall health and safety efforts.

There are already many best practices at Greiner today - the Greiner DEI Advisory Board is currently working on a proposal for a group-wide and strategic approach to Disability & Inclusion.

About MyAbility

myAbility is a leading company in the field of disability management and inclusion in the DACH region and accompanies other companies on their way to an inclusive corporate culture and supports students and graduates in their entry into professional life with the myAbility Talent ® programme. The myAbility Business Forum is the largest German-speaking business network on the topic of inclusion.
Since the beginning of 2023, myAbility has been advising the European Forum Alpbach (EFA) on the inclusion of people with disabilities and the accessibility of the annual conference. Greiner is a member of the myAbility Business Forum and co-hosted myAbility's Inclusion Networking Lunch at the European Forum Alpbach.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at Greiner

Clear and uniform rules are required to achieve equal opportunities. Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy creates a common understanding, describes roles and responsibilities as well as general guidelines that promote the realization of equal opportunities in all our divisions, operating units and business areas worldwide.

Guideline for inclusive communication

How we communicate with each other has a significant impact on our working atmosphere and corporate culture. In order to strengthen respectful, appreciative and non-discriminatory communication at Greiner, we have been providing all employees with a guideline for inclusive communication since 2024. This guideline is a supplement to the Group-wide Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy.

Alexander Berth
Greiner Talks Pocdast Host Alexander Berth
Diversity & Social Impact Manager
 
Do you have questions about Diversity, Equity & Inclusion? Contact us - we look forward to hearing from you.