Milan, 28 June 2024 - Coca-Cola HBC Italia, the leading producer and distributor of Coca-Cola beverages in Italy, today presents "With the right words", its 10-point Manifesto for respectful and inclusive language, intended for the entire corporate population. An initiative that continues the path taken by the company to enhance all types of diversity, personal and professional, and guarantee its employees a more stimulating and safe working environment.
The Manifesto was born from the testimonies collected during the year during 8 focus groups organized in the company's production plants, with the sales force and in the headquarters, involving more than 200 colleagues with different personal and professional profiles, selected from all company functions. The testimonies collected during the focus groups became the basis for building and identifying the areas to be enhanced within the Manifesto, in order to promote, through 10 simple suggestions for daily use, an increasingly inclusive, safe and respectful work environment.
"We want to guarantee a working environment in which everyone can feel truly valued and respected in expressing their full potential," comments Federica di Michele, Director of People & Culture at Coca-Cola HBC Italia. "We have been working for twenty years on training, awareness and involvement in numerous areas: from gender equality to LGBTQIA+ inclusion, passing through parenting support and the correct management of work-life balance. A path also recognized by certifications, such as IDEM's for gender equality obtained in 2022 or the Top Employer recognition that we have been receiving for 9 consecutive years. With this Manifesto we want to invite our people to reflect on how much our way of relating to others, the tone of voice, the jokes, the chosen words, have a huge impact on the climate we build around us ".
THE MANIFESTO
WITH THE RIGHT WORDS - THE 10 INGREDIENTS OF COCA-COLA HBC ITALIA FOR A RESPECTFUL AND INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
1. With a GOOD MORNING we fill our day with energy
For us, greeting is an essential behavior that goes beyond the boundaries of company hierarchies and different functions and strengthens interpersonal bonds.
2. ACTIVELY LISTEN to all people
We welcome all points of view by helping people to express their most authentic contribution.
3. We FOSTER an environment without discrimination in word and action
We recognize the uniqueness of each one and understand the experiences, feelings, and physical or personal characteristics of other people by offering them support and solidarity.
4. In difficult times we DIALOGUE to find a solution together
We condemn all offensive and superior attitudes and never consider stress a justification for aggressive behavior.
5. AVOID LABELS AND FORMS OF HUMOR that can be offensive
We report offenses disguised as "jokes" with the sole purpose of directly hurting or harming a person's integrity from behind, because we foster healthy and solid professional relationships.
6. We RECOGNIZE personal challenges outside of work and make the lives of the people around us easier
We consider parenting, care responsibilities and personal needs opportunities for growth for all our people and we respect the daily needs of each one.
7. WE APOLOGIZE WHEN PEOPLE MAY HAVE BEEN HURT, EVEN BY A WORD
We believe that dialogue expresses courage, reduces misunderstandings in relationships and brings people closer together.
8. WE RESPECT THE DIGNITY AND PRIVACY OF EVERY PERSON
We protect the privacy of our colleagues in every situation, avoiding gossip and innuendos to create a space of trust and collaboration.
9. WRITE paying attention to words and misunderstandings
In emails, social media and chats, we avoid conflicts and uncomfortable moments by promoting a harmonious working climate.
10. If we identify harassing behavior, we SHARE our experience with the company
Overcoming the barrier of silence, we report the use of discriminatory language through the secure platforms made available by the company, offering our contribution to the promotion of psychological safety for all of us.
THE PATH OF COCA-COLA HBC ITALIA
In the 2023 Sustainability Report of Coca-Cola HBC Italia, recently published and available on the lanostraricetta.it website, the company recounted the various projects that have been implemented over time to create an inclusive work environment that is close to the needs and sensitivities of its people.
Already in 2007, Coca-Cola HBC Italia inaugurated its Bilateral Commission for Equal Opportunities to work on gender equality. In 2022, the company obtained gender equality certification from IDEM, in recognition of the path initiated by the organization towards greater enhancement of female talent. In 2023, more than 40% of managerial positions are held by women.
In 2013, single-stamping was introduced, to allow people to organize their working day based on personal needs. In 2014, the first days of remote working were guaranteed, gradually extended over time up to the current 12 days a month.
In 2015, Coca-Cola HBC Italia extended marriage leave and health care to LGBTQIA+ couples, anticipating the Cirinnà law for civil unions, which would be approved in 2016. Since 2018, the company has also been supporting the community outside the office, with support for the main Pride events in Italy (Milan, Turin, Naples) and solidarity projects in favor of the LGBTQIA+ community.