Diversity at IKEA
2nd August 2018
IKEA has signed the Diversity Charter Ireland and is the first home furnishing retailer in the country to become a signatory.
The Diversity Charter is a seven-point plan, supported by the European Commission, and reflects IKEA’s commitment to prevent discrimination in the workplace, ensure effective diversity management and promote equality in its organisation. The charter was signed in store by Claudia Marshall, Ireland Market Manager, IKEA Ireland.
Aoife McCarthy, HR Manager at IKEA Dublin, commented on the signing of the Diversity Charter: “We are very proud to sign the Diversity Charter; it’s a powerful statement of our commitment to ensuring that we support a culture that is characterised by respect and appreciation for everyone’s diversity. We really believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment where co-workers feel valued for their uniqueness, and recognised for their diverse talents, benefits our business in many ways.”
‘Diversity and Inclusion’ is a core value at IKEA, and is deeply integrated in its global business approach. In its commitment to promote diversity within the company, IKEA celebrates events such as; International Women’s Day, IDAHOT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) and Human Rights Day.
Over 20 countries are represented among IKEA’s workforce in its Ballymun store and Carrickmines Order and Collection Point.
Aoife continued: “At IKEA, we are committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace for all our co-workers; equality is a key element in our business approach, as well as in our People practices and policies.”
Maria Hegarty, MD of Equality Strategies,said; “We are delighted to welcome three new signatories to Diversity Charter Ireland; IKEA, DIT and CCS. This brings us to 54 signatories in Ireland, who along with the national charters in 20 EU countries are dedicated to building awareness and sharing best practice around the benefits of diversity and inclusion in the workplace”.
IKEA prides itself on gender equality in the workplace; IKEA employs over 700 co-workers in the Republic of Ireland and of that, 53% of these co-workers are female. The number of women in senior management positions within IKEA Ireland is also high; 65% of senior management positions in IKEA Ireland are held by women. IKEA is also committed to achieving gender equality in all positions, equal opportunities and equal pay by 2020.
