Inclusion, diversity, and equity. These are the building blocks that foster thoughtful and balanced decision-making within companies, empowering employees and leaders to take bolder steps and achieve greater breakthroughs. Numerous studies have shown that these elements drive innovation, boost employee motivation, and fuel creativity.

The Commission of the MAS Female Managers' Section, which has been awarding the "Include.all" (“Vključi.vse”) recognition since 1991, has identified two Slovenian companies this year that embody diversity, inclusion, and fairness not just on paper but in the very fabric of their organizations. As a result, they have a deeper understanding of their customers, a more open organizational culture, and a knack for motivating their employees. With diversity and inclusion as cornerstones of sustainability, they have demonstrated the ability to generate higher revenues, profits, and returns on capital.

Both recipients of the "Include.all" award are equally deserving, differing only in size. The 2024 recipients are Lek, Slovenia's first and oldest pharmaceutical company, and Vita, the largest banking life insurance company in the Slovenian market. The awards were presented at gala evening event of the 2024 Managers' Congress at GH Bernardin in Portorož.

Lek Receives "Include.all" Award for large companies

Dynamic growth, a drive for internationalization, and continuous growth have characterized Slovenia’s first and oldest pharmaceutical company since its founding. Established in 1946, Lek reached two significant milestones in recent years, both tied to Novartis.

In 2002, Lek became part of the Novartis business group. And in 2023, with the separation of Sandoz from Novartis, Lek spun off a portion of its business and focused on generics and biosimilars. At the same time, the company placed a strong emphasis on a culture of diversity and inclusion, recognizing that employees would feel safe, valued, and respected in all their diversity, leading to higher job satisfaction, creativity, and commitment—all essential for business success and overcoming economic and other challenges.

In addition to diversity and inclusion, Lek has added another commitment to its sustainable business concept: fairness. The company aims to inspire other Slovenians with strong messages and, above all, by example, striving for greater prosperity in our society.

*One pillar of Lek's diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy is gender diversity, which is strictly followed in hiring senior management. While in 2021, Lek's senior management consisted of six men and one woman, today it comprises four men and three women. In the broader management team, more than half of the key directors covering all areas of work are women, at 54%.

Recognizing that diversity is multifaceted, Lek simultaneously focuses on other diversity areas with equal importance and attention, such as age (10% of employees are over 55), nationality (4.3% are foreigners), cultural and social differences, respect for persons with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. These efforts contribute to the company's overall development and growth.

Lek provides all employees with equal opportunities for career development and has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and intolerance. Recognizing the low reporting rates of intolerance and discrimination in society, the company encourages employees to report such incidents anonymously.

As a family-friendly company, Lek offers extended leaves, support for balancing career and family after extended leave, various forms of flexible and hybrid work, an on-site childcare center in Ljubljana, and the "Full of Life" initiative, which supports employees in improving their social, mental, and physical well-being.

Understanding the importance of guiding employees towards success while ensuring their well-being, satisfaction, belonging, and inclusion, Lek's management strives to establish contact and a genuine relationship with each employee. Given that Lek is a large company with 3,900 employees and an additional 500 employees in foreign markets, new technologies play a significant role in enabling various surveys, encouraging employees to choose activities and events, and co-creating Lek's culture. All-hands meetings allow employees to meet with top management and directly ask questions or raise concerns. Additionally, the company provides mentoring, training, and education on inclusion, diversity, and fairness.

Lek also organizes voluntary activities and social gatherings for employees. For example, they participated in a summer Paralympic camp for families and painted holiday houses on the Slovenian coast.

Vita, Life Insurance Company, Receives "Include.all" Award for medium-sized companies

Vita, the largest banking life insurance company in Slovenia, was founded in 2003 by NLB and the Belgian KBC with a clear vision: to respect and understand its policyholders. With this vision, Vita quickly established itself as a pioneering and innovative insurance company offering a wide range of insurance products, from life to investment insurance. The company's success was built primarily on investing in its employees and their competencies.

When Vita acquired a new owner in 2020 and became part of the internationally successful Sava Insurance Group, it strengthened its position and improved its product offerings through collaboration. At the same time, the company continued to actively pursue its sustainability commitments, recognizing that a strong culture of inclusion and diversity is key to creating a work environment where all employees feel valued and respected. The company began promoting open communication, respecting different perspectives, and consciously involving employees in various processes. Since then, they have been working together to create a better internal and external environment and contribute to the common good.

Diversity is deeply ingrained in Vita's DNA and is particularly evident in hiring new employees. The company recognizes that diversity of knowledge, experiences, perspectives, constructive exchange of different opinions, and respect for differences are essential for continuous innovation and improvement in its products, services, work processes, and the wider environment. While the two-member management board was exclusively male until 2007 and exclusively female from August 2008 to October 2017, the board is now three-member and mixed: 2 women and 1 man. In the broader management team, a good 53% are women.

In addition to women in leadership positions, Vita focuses on older employees (9% are over 55), foreigners (4.3%), and takes into account cultural and social differences, respects persons with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. The company's employment, promotion, and training policies do not discriminate against any group of employees. Clear procedures have been established for handling complaints and reporting incidents of discrimination or harassment, and diversity training is also provided.

Employees are encouraged to participate in decision-making processes and ensure that their ideas and opinions are heard and considered. This strengthens a sense of belonging and trust, creating a work environment where employees feel safe. Additionally, the company regularly organizes team-building activities, volunteering, and other social events (such as afforestation in the Karst region and participating in the construction of children's playgrounds at the Ljubljana Zoo), promoting mutual understanding and cooperation, respect, dignity, equality, and fairness among employees. Each new employee is assigned a "buddy" to introduce them to the company's inclusive culture.

Employees are also involved in innovation processes. Everyone has the opportunity to actively participate in the planning process for the company's key activities for the following year with an innovative proposal, co-shape them, and be rewarded for their innovation and contributions.

As a responsible company, Vita uses renewable energy, reduces paper consumption, has electric company cars, and offers company bikes to employees. The company is also renovating its business premises to provide employees with an even more pleasant and healthy work environment.

About the "Include.all" Award (Vključi.vse)

The MAS Female Managers' Section, with its "Include.all" award, advocates for balanced leadership in companies, as diverse leadership has proven to create better results, leading to greater competitiveness and prosperity for society as a whole.

The origins of the award date back to 1991 when the Section first awarded the "Women-Friendly Company" award. A decade later, the award was renamed "Managers-Friendly Company," and in 2017, it received its current name. Since then, the commission has focused its attention on diversity, balance, and gender equality when selecting candidates for the award.

The commission for selecting this year's recipients of the "Include.all" award included: president Aleša Mižigoj, Barbara Zupančič, Anisa Faganelj, Sonja Vidonja, Klaudija Javornik, Matej Černe, and Enej Kirn.