Diversity in the team allows us to take into account the smallest nuances in each project – Ferrexpo

Ferrexpo, an iron ore company with assets in Ukraine that is listed on the London Stock Exchange, continues to implement its DEI policy at its enterprises. This is reported by the media platform budni.robota.ua.

Since 2016, Ferrexpo’s human resources strategy has been guided by the principles of equality, inclusion and diversity.

Employees of the group’s enterprises have every opportunity to realize their potential regardless of gender, provided they have the appropriate knowledge and competencies – this is the approach taken at Poltava, Yeristovo and Belanovo Minings.

Since 2019, Ferrexpo’s businesses have officially declared their adherence to the DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) principles. The company is implementing a number of measures to encourage the professional and personal growth of its employees. In addition, it successfully overcomes the stereotype that leadership roles are better suited to men.

Currently, women are represented both at production sites and in the management of production units. Ferrexpo is committed to pay equity: women and men receive the same salary for working in the same position, performing similar duties and having the same level of ability.

The company believes that diversity in the team contributes to better decision-making and the use of non-standard approaches when responding to emergency situations. The implementation of gender equality ideas and support for women’s leadership also increase the company’s attractiveness in the international market.

Since 2020, Ferrexpo has been implementing a 360-degree DEI strategy. In 2022, the group’s mining companies approved and implemented a policy that establishes zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, provides for equal employment, working conditions, and remuneration, which are assessed solely on the basis of professionalism.

In 2020, Femunity, a women’s leadership school, was launched for the company’s employees. Its first students were 50 women who learned the basics of project management, successful communication, networking, and time management. In addition, this initiative helped them work through psychological crisis issues and develop self-confidence.

Graduates of the Women’s Leadership School became the first agents of change in the work environment and in society as a whole. In addition, they joined the process as mentors during subsequent Femunity streams.

Despite the full-scale invasion of Russia, the project not only continued but also scaled up. In 2022, it was expanded to the all-Ukrainian level, selecting more than 70 women from across the country to participate in Femunity Ukrainian. They had the opportunity to learn and communicate with interesting speakers, and ultimately get the opportunity to implement social change even in these difficult times.

In 2023, Femunity’s women’s leadership program was recognized at the HR Pro Awards, an all-Ukrainian award for CEOs and HR professionals. It won the award in the Diversity and Inclusion category. This is the second time the company has been recognized in this category (the first was in 2021).

According to Yulia Klevova, HR and Welfare Director at Ferrexpo Ukraine, who has been with the company for over 28 years and has worked her way up from a computer operator to a manager, positive changes in the team since the implementation of the DEI strategy are noticeable not only to the employees themselves but also to the company’s external partners.

“This has a positive effect on production performance: diversity in the team allows us to take into account the smallest nuances in each project, and a favorable workplace atmosphere builds loyalty to the employer and motivates us to work for the development of the company and to strengthen our own strengths,” she explained.

In 2023, Ferrexpo hired 46 veterans who had worked for the company before mobilization. The company uses the best practices of physical rehabilitation and psychological support for demobilized employees.