CWS signs the Diversity Charter

Duisburg, 16.11.2020 – By signing the Diversity Charter, CWS is officially undertaking to drive forward diversity and inclusion in its operations. With this, the CWS Group has entered into a public commitment in its home market of Germany for the first time. Further countries are set to follow.

Jürgen Höfling, CEO of the CWS Group, stated the following in response to the signing of the charter: “We are very proud that we are part of this alliance. We are well aware that we are measured by our actions and regard the signing of the charter as a first indication of the central importance of diversity and inclusion which we herewith both acknowledge and document. At CWS, we want to create a working environment where every single individual is valued and can make full use of their strengths irrespective of their gender, age, nationality, religion, disability or sexual orientation.”

On the basis of an employee survey, the CWS Diversity & Inclusion Council, a working group set up specifically to implement the strategy, will assess the status quo and use this to derive further fields of action. Dr. Maren Otte, Group Director Corporate Communications & Responsibilty at CWS and the council coordinator added: “Studies have shown time and again that diversity has a positive impact on a company’s working environment and performance. The inclusion of different points of view and cultural experiences automatically boosts understanding and cooperation, which, in turn, leads to better results.” By signing the EU Diversity Charter, CWS has declared its participation in the European initiative to promote corporate diversity.

About the Diversity Charter

The Diversity Charter is an employers’ initiative launched in 2006 with the aim of promoting diversity in companies and institutions. Under the patronage of Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, the non-profit organisation Charta der Vielfalt e.V. began its work as a sponsor of the initiative in 2010. The organisation works to promotes the recognition, appreciation and integration of diversity in German business culture. 3,500 companies and institutions have already committed themselves to creating a prejudice-free environment irrespective of gender, gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, sexual orientation, identity and age for their approximately 13.4 million employees.

About CWS

CWS contributes to a healthier and safer future with innovative, sustainable and digital rental solutions. The CWS offering is organised into products and services from the fields of Hygiene, Floor Care, Workwear, Fire Safety, Cleanrooms and Healthcare.

CWS is a brand of CWS International GmbH and its subsidiaries. The Group currently employs around 10,600 people in 16 countries. In 2019, the company generated a turnover of € 1,188 billion. CWS International GmbH and its subsidiaries are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH.

Further information can be found at cws.com