HELLO PEOPLE GOT A MINUTE?

Inclusion and diversity have been hot topics in Zuidas for some time and companies are increasingly taking note. And rightly so, because these issues matter deeply to many people. We all have qualities of our own and should have the chance to tap into them fully. Recently, we braved the lunchtime rush to ask local professionals what their employers are doing to promote inclusion and diversity.

“I’ve been working for Rabobank for a year and a half now and recently moved to the Netherlands. I’ve noticed that this country is pretty user-friendly for people with disabilities. Roads are made to be accessible for wheelchair users, for example. It would be nice if people could maybe think twice before using office lifts at high-traffic times and give priority to those who actually need them. I also think it would be good if the community paid more attention to what people with disabilities are dealing with, so their colleagues are more aware.”

Marina (age 32) & Siarhei (age 37) both work at an IT firm in WTC Amsterdam Marina: “Comparing the Netherlands to the country where I’m from, the difference is huge. For one thing, facilities for people with disabilities are very good. Public areas are always accessible and there are lifts people can use.”

Siarhei: “Diversity and inclusion are things everyone should care about. People should be less afraid to share their experiences and feelings. You can’t see what someone has been through, so never judge a book by its cover.”

works at Royal Bank Of Canada

“I think our office is doing a good job on inclusion and diversity. Our team consists of ten people, three of whom are women. For a bank, it’s a decent score, I think. That said, we are always looking at how we can even things out more. I guess it’s a matter of time. I think we do need to do more about diversity in management, but that will take even longer. Twenty years from now, the corporate sector will probably be much more diverse and inclusive. It’s only natural that it is a gradual process.”

“Coming to work in Zuidas was an adjustment at first. But I’ve settled in now. As a woman, you really count here. I think companies still have some big strides to make on diversity and inclusion, though, but more in terms of how they organize things internally, not the people you see walking around here.”