The Irish branch of global financial giant Citibank, held its ‘diversity week’ in the capital recently.
Hundreds of staff from more than 30 nationalities who work at Citi Ireland’s offices in the IFSC participated in the week-long event, with the theme of ‘perception’.
In a statement, the company told Metro Éireann: “With a presence in more than 100 countries, Citi is perhaps the most diverse company in the world.”
It continued: “The firm’s strategy for integrating diversity is to attract, develop and retain the best talent, creating an inclusive environment supportive of each and every employee. Diversity, by definition, includes everyone. Valuing diversity is an ongoing commitment at Citi.”
On the theme of perception, the bank stated: “At times, we can all interpret data quickly, making judgments and assumptions, and there are occasions where our perceptions may be faulty.
“The perceptions that we have of ourselves and those around us derive from our varying social and cultural backgrounds. Our perceptions can change the way we view our industry, businesses, teams, and colleagues.”
The week-long initiative included several high-profile activities presented by different diversity groups within Citi Ireland as part of the fourth annual Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Diversity Week.
Among these were a one-to-one coaching session, a laughter workshop, an autism awareness session, a video-conference seminar on ‘guilt and the working parent’ and the first graduation of the innovative Irish Sign Language and deaf culture awareness course.
But the highlight was the World Culture Expo, where the cultures of all 30 nationalities that make up Citi Ireland’s staff were on display. The Irish language was also given a special attention, as were special artefacts, natural resources, recipes and dishes from Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe and America.
Sarah Coughlan, a human resources partner with the company who was one of those manning the Australia/New Zealand/Asia stall, said: “I think that, from a Citi perspective, the umbrella of diversity embraces different cultures… Diversity represents Ireland as a country today.”
Coughlan said Citi’s diversity has invited her “into the hearts and minds of people. It has broadened my perception, which was sometimes narrow, into the reality. It taught me we don’t always approach things the same way.”
For her, diversity benefits organisations that embrace it. And to get that, she said, “diversity must be visible – the eyes need to see it”, adding that organisations also need to introduce initiatives aimed at embracing diversity.
Coughlan said that companies must create awareness of diversity by marketing and managing it. It is also important that organisations incorporate diversity into all their policies and programmes.
