Diversity pays off

Studies show that companies that value diversity are more successful than others with largely homogeneous teams. As an international company with locations and representative offices in 25 countries, NORMA Group is already structurally characterized by a high degree of diversity. By signing the  DIVERSITY CHARTER, NORMA Group has committed itself to ensuring that all employees are valued – regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation and identity.

The basis for diversity management is NORMA Group’s mission statement on diversity. On the one hand, the mission statement defines the drivers for diversity at NORMA Group (market proximity, innovation, and employee satisfaction) and on the other hand sharpens the focus on respect and equal opportunities within the company.

The blog series  “DIVERSITY@NORMA” makes an important contribution to reporting on the diversity of the employees who work for NORMA Group. Every year, the blog series Diversity@NORMA focuses on a specific group: In 2021, the topic was female employees at NORMA Group; in 2022, the focus was on diverse cultures of NORMA Group employees. Colleagues from different departments and different countries talked about their culture, how it influences their approach to work and how intercultural exchange takes place at NORMA Group. In fiscal year 2023, the blog series will focus on the topics of age and generational exchange at NORMA Group.

NORMA Group has also taken further steps in its general communication activities to consider aspects of appreciation and equality. This report, where attention was paid to gender-neutral wording during preparation, is one example. In addition, internal trainings on gender-neutral language was offered, which was taken up by 142 employees.

NORMA Group’s commitment to diversity is also celebrated annually on Diversity Day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting physical distancing restrictions, the Diversity Day activities had to be cancelled at numerous locations this year. Nevertheless, we celebrated Diversity Day 2022 via social media by publishing avideo in which short sequences of colleagues from the various NORMA Group sites around the world were edited together. In the short sequences the colleagues presented what the word diversity means in their language and therefore represent diversity within NORMA Group through their diverse languages.

Gender equality

NORMA Group actively opposes discrimination and considers it a matter of course that women and men are paid the same amount for the same work and qualifications. The proportion of women is generally based on the proportion of women who are available through the job market and who have the necessary qualifications. Accordingly, it varies worldwide between locations. At the end of 2022, the proportion of women in the entire core workforce was 36.9% (2021: 37.2%)  GRAPHIC G020: “DEVELOPMENT OF PROPORTION OF WOMEN AMONG PERMANENT STAFF. One woman is currently represented on the three-person Management Board of NORMA Group SE, and there were two women out of a total of six members on NORMA Group’s Supervisory Board in fiscal year 2022.  CORPORATE-GOVERNANCE-REPORT

Legend

These contents are part of the Non-financial Group Report and were subject to a separate limited assurance examination.