Diversity and inclusion in an expert organization
The diversity of the Finnish population is reflected in Finnish work life and work organizations. In the future, the pool of experts will become increasingly diverse as the need to utilize the competence of international experts is growing due to factors such as labour shortages. The diversity of personnel requires employers to manage diversity and ensure a level playing field when it comes to issues such as career development, among others. The development of an inclusive culture is a key part of diversity work.
This guide provides expert organizations with support in their diversity work. The guide describes the first steps in diversity work and how to promote a cohesive work culture where everyone feels included. An increasing number of organizations have multilingual staff. Language awareness and language-aware practices can remove barriers to understanding, participation and utilizing knowledge.
Both organizational structures and unconscious assumptions and biases can hinder equal career development. In a diverse work community, special attention must be paid to equity in both career development and the development of skills. The promotion of equality and non-discrimination is an important part of inclusion work, which also has certain related legal obligations.
The methods of developing inclusion within an organization depend on many factors, such as the size of the organization and how international it is. Not all methods are directly applicable to every organization. However, all organizations can develop their inclusivity and make use of this guide.
Background to the guide
The guide was created in 2022 as part of the Manifold more - Leverage to the professional careers of immigrant background women project (2019–2022) funded by the European Social Fund. The project is conducted in co-operation with the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
Managers, HR representatives and female experts with immigrant background from diverse organizations were interviewed for the guide.
The guide was prepared by Leading Specialist Barbara Bergbom, Senior Specialist Kirsi Yli-Kaitala and Senior Specialist Minna Toivanen of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.