Diversity in Estonian enterprises
and Estonian Diversity Charter
Kelly Grossthal, Estonian Human Rights Center, Estonia
Presentation given within workshop “Segregation at Estonian labour market
– challenges and opportunities”
International conference „Integration Challenges in a Radicalizing World“
29 – 30 November 2016, Tallinn, Estonia

DIVERSITY IN ESTONIAN
ENTERPRISES
&
ESTONIAN DIVERSITY CHARTER
Kelly Grossthal
Estonian Human Rights Centre
Estonian Diversity Charter
November 29, 2016

Study:
Diversity in Estonian companies
• Various studies have shown that considering diversity
and conscious management (diversity management) of it
have positive impact on corporate performance. Google,
Facebook, ISS Denmark have studied the field a lot.
• The Estonian study was carried out by PRAXIS and
financied by Erinevus rikastab project.
• The diversity was never before examined among Estonian
companies. describes the diversity in the management
boards in Estonian companies and evaluates the links
between diversity and economic performance.

Diversity in Estonian companies
(Praxis, 2015)
• The boards of Estonian companies are rather
homogeneous; diversity exists only in a
limited number of companies. 45% of
Estonian enterprises have both man and
woman in their boards. There are less than a
third of companies where board members
differ due to health features and 23% of the
companies have board members who differ
due to religious beliefs.

How does the management board in
Estonia looks like?
• The analysis included all Estonian businesses and
their management boards which have two or
more members in the board. In total, information
of approximately 25,000 company’s management
was analysed. The members of the boards of
Estonian companies were characterized by using
various features like gender, age, nationality,
religious beliefs and existence of health problems
that barrier coping with everyday activities.

How does the management board in
Estonia looks like?
• 91% of the companies have the board of only Estonians
or only of the people of other nationalities, so only 9%
of companies have Estonians working with other
nationalities on the board.
• There is usually a connection between the size and the
diversity of the company, where larger businesses have
more diversity on their board. The opposite can be
seen only in gender diversity – there are fewer women
on the boards of larger companies.

Conclusion
• In Estonia - the diversity in management board does not
immediately cause higher turnovers or profits.
• Meaningful diversity management and skills are needed.
• It has been found that corporate strategy and culture can
influence the impact of the diversity. Flexible working
hours, non-discriminatory promoting and remuneration
systems are just a few examples of things which are
increasing positive and decreasing negative effects of
diversity.
• Conscious diversity management, training for accepting the
diversity and avoiding stereotypes are also important.

One practical solution –
Diversity Charter
• The Estonian Diversity Charter is a voluntary and written commitment
that can be signed by any company or public institution that values a
discrimination-free work environment and makes a decision to work
toward fostering diversity. The ten articles of the Diversity Charter
emphasize diversity, inclusion, and equal treatment as the central values
of each charter member.
• More than 70 companies and organizations have signed it: Swedbank,
Ministryof Culture, Kaubamaja, Manpower, Ericsson Estonia, Network of
Estonian Nonprofit Organizations.
• The Charter is also a platform for members to learn from experts and
from one another, share best practices, and promote the topic of
diversity and inclusion in Estonian society.
• Similar charters exist across the EU, we are members of EU-level
exchange platform

One practical solution –
Diversity Charter
• A seminar on diversity at workplace takes place at Viru Hotel
conference centre on 6 December 2016, where diversity
management researcher Lotte Holck from Denmark will give a
presentation.
• During the second half of the seminar new members of
Estonian Diversity Charter are welcomed.
• More informationat www.erinevusrikastab.ee

For more conference materials and presentations
please visit www.misakonverents.ee