Building a brighter and better future
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) can propel an organisation to new heights, but for this to happen there needs to be both a clear strategy and a determination to do things the right way. At Grant Thornton Poland, their enthusiasm and ambition have been guided by a specific plan around DE&I to deliver the best possible results.
The firm focuses on a ‘bottom-up’ approach that drives high engagement from all its employees and allows them to play an active role in guiding the overarching strategy. This has seen them develop a comprehensive set of DE&I-related initiatives that have positively impacted a variety of groups, including the firm’s female employees, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those living with a disability.
Grant Thornton Poland also looks to drive change outside of its own organisation, with the publication of the second edition of their Diversity and Inclusion Market report.
The report interviews owners and management of 100 medium and large businesses, analyses 2,500 selected business articles, and studies the speakers of 20 economic events across Europe.
It considers indicators such as the percentage of women, individuals under 40 and above 60 years of age, as well as foreign nationals in leadership positions within these companies. The goal of the report is to demonstrate how often different groups are involved in critical decision-making within Polish businesses and how frequently they contribute to ongoing discussions.
Positive change takes time, and as Honorata Zakrzewska-Krzyś, Senior Content Marketing Specialist, Grant Thorton Poland, puts it, “It's not just about policies on paper.” However, it’s clear that Grant Thornton Poland is doing exceptional work in ensuring that DE&I is to the forefront of all that it does as a firm.
“The impact of these efforts is clear – growing financially by over 20% every year proves it. Our DE&I actions have helped us keep our best people, spark new ideas, and build a unique company culture." - Honorata Zakrzewska-Krzyś, Senior Content Marketing Specialist, Grant Thorton Poland
Grant Thornton Poland has a clear focus on creating equal opportunities for everyone, and this concept is at the heart of all of its DE&I initiatives. This has seen the firm make a pointed effort to develop initiatives aimed at helping people with disabilities find their place in the job market, and helping parents balance their career with their family responsibilities.
“At Grant Thornton Poland the enthusiasm with which we serve our clients is exactly the same as the care we have for each other. This care goes beyond just our office walls. It’s about creating a brighter and better future for everyone.” Honorata Zakrzewska-Krzyś, Senior Content Marketing Specialist, Grant Thorton Poland
Grant Thornton Poland’s ‘Hi5 to the World’ program focuses on sustainable development and aims to support the realisation of the Go Beyond strategic vision. This program influences almost every aspect of the firm, from talent attraction and retention to reputation among clients and the community and even overall financial results.
In the realm of DE&I, significant progress has been achieved in recent years, and this can be felt by everybody at the firm. Grant Thornton Poland have signed the European Diversity Charter, and they continue to foster their organisational culture by endorsing attitudes of openness to diversity and being true to oneself. Their philosophy is centred on creating equal opportunities for diverse communities. They have updated key diversity areas, encompassing age, gender, as well as nationality, religious background, sexual orientation, skills, and disabilities. The firm also has a team dedicated to shaping DE&I within the organisation, championing a grassroots approach which has led to high engagement from its employees.
One initiative that has greatly benefitted the workforce at Grant Thornton Poland has been the creation of several social groups that provide a platform for sharing experiences and recommendations related to community-specific initiatives. These include groups for parents of children under 10 and above 10 years old, as well as for individuals with disabilities. Through dialogue with these social groups, the firm has formulated the "Months and Days of Diversity" series, comprising a range of initiatives such as thematic webinars, consultations with experts, articles, and events – all of which have had strong employee participation.
According to Honorata, “There are many other initiatives arising from our chats with different groups – for example our special ‘Diversity Months and Days’. From Women's Health Month in March to Disability Month in June, we truly put our hearts into celebrating and supporting diversity.”
Grant Thornton Poland have also launched the ‘Generations’ project, aimed at understanding the needs and attitudes of different generations, enhancing intergenerational communication, and aligning their Employee Value Proposition (EVP) with the needs of each generational group. The project is multi-phased, involving the mapping of challenges and outlining key directions for necessary improvements in the EVP offering. Subsequent stages encompass the definition and implementation of projects/actions, both company-wide and departmental.
In order to build a more psychologically safe space for its employees to work, the firm has also invested in developing an anti-bullying and anti-discrimination policy within the company. This policy aims to foster positive relationships among employees and protect them from workplace bullying and discrimination. A series of webinars and expert-led training sessions allowed the firm to build an inclusive culture founded on mutual tolerance, respect, and sensitivity to diversity.
All these initiatives, along with countless others, have allowed Grant Thornton Poland to create an open and innovative environment where its employees feel truly valued and connected to the firm.
“With ambitious plans on the horizon, we are excited about the opportunity to continue this journey – promoting diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every voice is important and heard.” - Honorata Zakrzewska-Krzyś, Senior Content Marketing Specialist, Grant Thorton Poland
Thanks to the continued DE&I efforts at Grant Thornton Poland, an atmosphere of trust has been created, resulting in increased engagement across the company. DE&I holds significant value for potential new employees, who increasingly consider this topic as important and inquire about the company's policies during recruitment. DE&I is also highly valued by clients, who will often evaluate potential vendors in this area during the bidding process. Specific projects, such as ‘Generations,’ foster collaborative and intergenerational integration principles within teams, elevating service quality for clients.
“The impact of these efforts is clear – growing financially by over 20% every year proves it. Our DE&I actions have helped us keep our best people, spark new ideas, and build a unique company culture. It's clear that at Grant Thornton Poland DE&I is more than just a buzzword - it represents the vibrant community we've built together.” Honorata Zakrzewska-Krzyś, Senior Content Marketing Specialist, Grant Thorton Poland
The company's financial results are growing by over 20% annually, with employee engagement – partly through DE&I initiatives – being a contributing factor. With ambitious development plans ahead, made possible by various DE&I programs, Grant Thorton Poland are poised to create a new value proposition for clients and employees, while attracting and retaining top talents.
This clear focus on DE&I has also attracted positive attention outside of the firm itself, with Grant Thornton Poland nominated as one of 2022’s finalists for the Go Beyond Diversity award.
Despite all the brilliant work that’s taken place already, so much more lies ahead. Grant Thornton Poland is currently planning managerial training sessions on managing diverse teams, architectural-environmental audits of their offices, and internships tailored for individuals with disabilities. Overall, the firm is committed to ensuring that these proposed actions are not one-time events but become permanent fixtures in their organisation, further enhancing the openness and inclusivity that has already been developed.
"With ambitious plans on the horizon, we are excited about the opportunity to continue this journey – promoting diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every voice is important and heard.” Honorata Zakrzewska-Krzyś, Senior Content Marketing Specialist, Grant Thorton Poland
Grant Thorton Poland’s DE&I journey has been incredibly successful, but the firm is still dedicated to doing even more. Through continued investment in its people and its processes, the organisation can grow with diversity, equity, and inclusion at its core. A strong team, a clear vision, and a vibrant community effort have combined to drive DE&I forward at the firm, and there are even more ambitious plans to continue to do so over the coming years.
Long-term initiatives such as ‘Generations’ or the ‘Sure, You Can!’ program – aimed at helping people with disabilities find their place in the job market – ensure that Grant Thornton Poland’s commitment to DE&I is only going to strengthen in the near future. Their strong strategic vision, coupled with the support of the entire organisation has helped create a welcoming and safe environment for all. The results can be seen not just in the financial rewards achieved, but also in the happiness and togetherness of Grant Thornton Poland’s people.
