Inclusion at thyssenkrupp: Focus on diversity
Only talk about inclusion? Not at thyssenkrupp! We live inclusion. It is clear to us that all people are equally welcome. Because we believe in the uniqueness of every person and value individual abilities, experiences and backgrounds. Inclusion has many dimensions, as it encompasses various aspects of physical, mental, intellectual and sensory impairment. Some are visible, but most are not. What drives us is simple: we create an inclusive working environment for our employees in which diversity is lived. By breaking down barriers instead of creating them. #GENERATIONTK stands for diversity. And therefore also for inclusion.
Only talking about inclusion? Not at thyssenkrupp! We live inclusion. For us it is clear: all people are equally welcome. Because we believe in the uniqueness of every person and value individual abilities, experiences and backgrounds. Inclusion has many dimensions, as it encompasses different aspects of physical, mental, cognitive and sensory impairment. Some visible, but most not. What drives us is simple: we create an inclusive work environment for our employees where diversity is lived. By breaking down barriers instead of building them. #GENERATIONTK stands for diversity. And thus also for inclusion.
Inclusion at thyssenkrupp
But what is inclusion in the first place? Integration and inclusion are often used synonymously in the discussion about this topic. Yet the two terms are fundamentally different. Integration aims to integrate people with impairments into existing structures. This often requires adaptation on the part of those affected. Inclusion, on the other hand, aims to create societies and communities in which diversity is truly lived and barriers are overcome. Inclusion is not only about participation, but also about the full acceptance and inclusion of each and every individual, regardless of differences. It is about valuing and using individual strengths and abilities to create a diverse and enriching community. Inclusion thus aims at the equal participation and belonging of all people in social life. No one should be excluded from a self-determined life because of a disability.
We at thyssenkrupp have clearly set ourselves this goal. And we also underline our focus with a joint declaration that was launched in 2015 - on the inclusion and promotion of people with disabilities: "thyssenkrupp sees inclusion in the world of work, i.e. the self-determined and equal participation of people with disabilities in working life, as a special corporate obligation." We see this as our responsibility and promote a working environment in which being "different" is not seen as an obstacle, but as an opportunity. This also means looking less at what is not possible and more at what can be made possible. After all, our goal is to enable people with disabilities to enter working life and to include them in existing work processes in the best possible way.
Equal rights in the application process
We are also committed to equal rights in the application process. We focus on people's motivation, skills and mentality. In close cooperation with various offices, sponsors and specialist departments, we respond to the needs of applicants and actively seek individual solutions. One of Materials Services' commitments is aimed specifically at young people with severe disabilities. Together with the Federal Employment Agency, we enable them to start their careers.
Support in everyday working life
We also support our employees in their day-to-day work wherever we can. This ranges from special lifting aids at the workplace to completely individual solutions. Our elected representatives for employees with severe disabilities at the respective locations actively support all employees with severe disabilities and those at risk of becoming severely disabled - this applies to current employees, but also to those who are still looking to find their way to thyssenkrupp and (back) into working life.
In addition, some of our colleagues work in an internal workshop at thyssenkrupp Steel in Duisburg, for example. This is particularly important for employees who are no longer able to return to their original workplace for health reasons, for example. They find their place in the workshop and continue to make a valuable contribution. Among other things, the colleagues carry out sewing, engraving, welding or foiling work for the companies, but their tasks also include carpentry or gardening work.
Inclusion has many faces
Around 100,000 employees work at thyssenkrupp worldwide in a wide variety of constellations - each with their own story, some with visible impairments, but mostly with non-visible impairments. Some are employed in internal workshops such as Duisburg, while others have found a workplace within the company that has been adapted to their needs. Here we introduce four colleagues who work with a disability at thyssenkrupp and experience inclusion on a daily basis.
Mastering language barriers together
Petra Pannenbäcker is deaf and has been working at thyssenkrupp Steel for several decades. She is a trained technical draughtswoman and has already worked in various professions. She now works in the internal workshop in Duisburg. There she mainly sews barbecue aprons and cosmetic bags for august&alfred - a sustainable fashion brand from thyssenkrupp and Grubenhelden, which processes discarded smelter coats, for example. Sewing is one of Petra's favorite tasks. Communicating with her colleagues is no problem for her! While some of her colleagues even learn sign language to communicate with Petra, she herself reaches for a writing pad to communicate with the others in an emergency.
Back to work
Sebastian Olbinski suffered a serious head injury in 2019. The diagnosis: traumatic brain injury with bleeding in the brain. During several lengthy rehabilitation stays, he had to relearn many basic movements. However, epilepsy and physical and cognitive impairments remain as long-term consequences. Giving up? Not an option for Sebastian! He is fighting his way back into (working) life. But he was not allowed to return to his original employer, one of our partner companies. As a result, thyssenkrupp created a permanent position for him in the incoming goods department at Dynamic Components in Ilsenburg in 2021. Sebastian has to take special breaks at work to prevent epileptic seizures. In addition, his workplace has been equipped with LED lamps and a height-adjustable desk, for example. Sebastian and his colleagues support each other on a daily basis: while they occasionally remind him to take his breaks, he shows them techniques he has learned to reduce stress.
New profession - new perspectives
Frank Waltersdorf lost an eye at the age of 12. He has been wearing a glass eye ever since. Spatial vision is no longer possible for him. The trained machinist has been working at thyssenkrupp since 1980. Over time, however, his job became too dangerous for him. He moved to the internal workshop in Duisburg. Here, Frank works as a process coordinator in the Halle-Metall division. What does he particularly like about his work? Accompanying his colleagues from the workshop and seeing the progress they make.
Overcoming hurdles with tools
Working in the office with four percent vision? Esra Temel shows that it is possible. She became aware of thyssenkrupp during an internship. She likes it so much that she moves from her apprenticeship at Diakonie to thyssenkrupp MillServices & Systems in Oberhausen. With success! Esra initially starts a rehabilitation apprenticeship as an office management assistant. Thanks to her performance, she is subsequently taken on and now has a permanent contract. With the help of a special reading program, she can enlarge fonts and have texts read aloud to her. And if she gets stuck? Then her thyssenkrupp colleagues are there to help her.
These are just four of several individual stories at thyssenkrupp. Together, we promote diversity, break down barriers and live inclusion. Every day. Because diversity is #GENERATIONTK.