On 6 December a new group of employers in the private and public sectors put their signature to the Diversity Charter. Eighty companies are now committed to an increase in diversity and an inclusive business environment. By signing the Diversity Charter, these companies and organizations undertake to make specific efforts towards an effective diversity policy. Renate Litjens, director of Group Human Resources, signed on behalf of APG.
The new signatories are: Accenture, Alliander, APG, De Brandweerkorpsen Amsterdam - Amstelland, Haaglanden, Kennemerland and IJsselland, Hotel Casa Amsterdam, Deloitte, Fruitful Office, Instituut Fysieke Veiligheid, ManpowerGroup Nederland, Microsoft Nederland, MKB Amsterdam and UWV. The day’s chair Harry van de Kraats, general director of the employers' association AWVN, stated that the signatories are bound by a belief in diversity. It is in the interests of the organization to take advantage of this: diversity is a business case.
A more balanced composition of employees at all levels, respect, tolerance and fair chances are characteristics of an inclusive company culture. This is the responsibility of employers and employees. The Labour Foundation (STAR), the consultative body of the central organizations of employers and employees, has taken the initiative on 'Diversity in Business' and thus the Diversity Charter. The Council for Public Sector Personnel Policy (ROP) is also involved in this initiative. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) supports the implementation. There are currently Diversity Charters in effect in fifteen European countries, which have been signed by more than 7,000 companies and organizations.
APG’s goals
The Charter includes the goals of the company/organization. APG's goal is that it wants its workforce to reflect the composition of the participant population of pension funds for which it works to a greater extent. Over the years, the composition of the participant population that APG administers on behalf of the pension funds has changed. Because participants are compulsorily affiliated with their pension fund, APG feels an additional obligation to align its workforce in the same direction.