Diversity Statement
At Kleinwort Benson, diversity means valuing and promoting both the different individual characteristics and cultural backgrounds and the similarities of individuals in the work place. Diversity encompasses such characteristics as age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, family status, sexual orientation, heritage and religious beliefs, personality and work style.
Inclusiveness means a work environment in which diversity is valued and accepted and everyone has the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge consistent with the business objectives. It recognises that employees bring varied skills, knowledge, backgrounds and perspectives to the work environment, which leads to a new source of creativity.
Diversity and inclusiveness moves us beyond ’equal opportunities’ as it embraces a broad range of people, and is about valuing and treating people in accordance with their needs and motivations, rather than treating everyone the same regardless of their differences.
Managing diversity and inclusiveness is a complex and ongoing change process to create a workplace climate that is inclusive, respectful, innovative and supportive of each employee. It emphasises the building of behavioural aspects, specific skills and creating policies that contribute to the development of every employee to their full potential. To reap diversity’s potential rewards, Kleinwort Benson will endeavour to address barriers, create ways to include a wider range of perspectives, and intentionally focus resources on making use of diversity as a strategic business advantage.
Kleinwort Benson is adopting a proactive framework and commitment to embed diversity influences into every stream of the organisation.
The Kleinwort Benson commitment
Kleinwort Benson is committed to providing and maintaining a workplace climate which ensures that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, and are able to work in an environment free of discrimination and harassment. It means creating a positive and inclusive work environment that attracts talent and develops and retains employees. It is this commitment, which contributes to Kleinwort Benson’s business objectives of becoming a high performing organisation.
Diversity Framework
Kleinwort Benson has adopted a Diversity Framework to strengthen efforts on diversity within the company. It is an aspirational and proactive framework, which will evolve continuously to ensure that Kleinwort Benson continues the process of improvement. It involves adopting the following Principles and Guidelines, which includes creating a positive and inclusive work environment, attracting and retaining a diverse group of employees, and supporting the development of employees.
Principles and Guidelines:
| Principle | Key Actions/ Guidelines | Status |
Discrimination and Equal Opportunities | Kleinwort Benson is fully committed to a workplace free of discrimination and actively promotes equal opportunities where all employees have the opportunity to fully participate in business success | - Equal Opportunities policy is embedded into all working practices, including recruitment & selection, pay & benefits, training - Provision of diversity training for all managers | Immediate |
Complaint Management | Kleinwort Benson does not condone discrimination and harassment of any kind at the workplace and ensures that sufficient procedures and processes are in place to address issues of alleged discrimination, harassment and victimisation | - Harassment & bullying policy and Grievance procedures are in place | Immediate |
Professional Development | Kleinwort Benson strives to ensure that all decisions about professional development and advancement of employees are based on performance and demonstrated potential. | - A fair, objective performance review system is in place - A learning and development policy which is free from bias is in place | Immediate |
Valuing and Promoting Diversity | Kleinwort Benson leverages on the diversity of its workforce by understanding, respecting and valuing differences to inspire a high performing environment. | - Creating an inclusive environment which includes people from different backgrounds, cultures, life stages and experience by ensuring ideas and contributions from employees are heard and acted upon via employment surveys and consultations - Provision of work life balance policies (including flexible working arrangements which are reasonable in the context of business needs) and reasonable adjustments to working environment are made as necessary | Ongoing |
Diverse Workforce | Kleinwort Benson is committed to building a diverse workplace and recognises that diverse employees bring varied skills, knowledge, backgrounds and perspectives to the workplace | - Developing a recruitment strategy which reaches diverse groups | Ongoing |
External Stakeholders | Kleinwort Benson is committed to enhancing relationships with diverse customers, agents, suppliers, and communities while expanding our ability to attract and retain new business | - Making products and services available to the needs of diverse clients -Supporting diverse communities | Ongoing |
Managing Diversity | Kleinwort Benson possesses a systematic approach to implementing and monitoring these Principles and Guidelines, and to manage diversity and inclusiveness on a continuous basis. | - Senior management awareness and support - Principles communicated widely to raise employee awareness - Action plan developed to implement diversity with continuous review | Ongoing |
Kleinwort Benson aspires to the Diversity and Inclusiveness framework adopted by the Allianz Group.
Roles and Responsibilities
Kleinwort Benson has the responsibility of embracing diversity to contribute to its success.
All individuals have the responsibility to leverage diversity and foster an inclusive working environment.
Human Resources has the responsibility of promoting the Diversity Framework.
Please refer any queries to HR.