We believe employee diversity is an asset to our business. Men and women of various ages from different backgrounds and cultures, with a range of different experiences, help us understand and serve our customers around the world.
We have a strategy to improve diversity and inclusion across the Group. It aims to ensure Vodafone’s workforce reflects its diverse customer base, and that the company has an inclusive working environment that embraces the benefits diversity brings.
Vodafone aims to create a working culture that respects the value of differences among colleagues and encourages individuals to contribute their best within an environment that is inclusive, open, flexible and fair. We will not tolerate discrimination or unfair treatment on any grounds. Employees must act with integrity and respect for their colleagues and customers. We are committed to helping talented people from diverse backgrounds meet their potential at all levels of the company.
Gender diversity
We are working to improve gender diversity at Vodafone, as part of our diversity and inclusion strategy. This includes carrying out senior leadership training on inclusion and diversity. At Group level, we instruct our recruitment consultants to recommend a minimum of one credible female candidate for interview for every vacancy we advertise at management level.
We recognise that women can often be more affected by family commitments than men and encourage flexible working to help employees balance their work with their family commitments.
Cultural diversity
With operations worldwide, Vodafone is not only multinational but multicultural. We encourage our managers to gain experience working in different countries and almost half our senior managers have international experience. International rotation is a key part of our Inspire programme for employees with high potential. See Training and development.
Employees with disabilities
We are conscious of the difficulties experienced by people with disabilities, and make every effort to ensure access to the Group’s facilities and services.
Disabled people are assured of full and fair consideration for all vacancies for which they offer themselves as suitable candidates. We do our best to meet their needs, particularly in relation to access and mobility. Where possible, modifications to workplaces are made to provide access for the disabled.
Every effort is made to continue the employment of people who become disabled during their employment, through the provision of additional facilities, job design and appropriate training.