The purpose of the OPENWORK project was to foster inclusion and integration in the workplace, by offering innovative learning opportunities to HR trainers and entry and mid-level managers, so as inclusive organizational cultures to be formed, that bring a sense of belonging and value to their workforce, while organisational objectives are being met. The main project aims were: (a) involve and train HR trainers in the field of inclusion and diversity in the workplace; (b) equip entry and mid-level managers with those skills that would allow them to form inclusive teams combating the risk of discrimination and harassment; (c) design innovative methods and solutions of multi-agency, multi-disciplinary cooperation from the combination of existing practices in the fields of inclusion and diversity in the workplace in order organisational cultures to be created, that allow uniqueness and belonging to thrive; (d) improve accessibility and increase take-up of adult education by creating an open-source e-learning platform, hosting online interactive learning resources, available to all the target groups at regional, national and European and international level; (e) promote the EU policies and the EU Platform of Diversity Charters.
Today’s workforce is more diverse than ever— businesses of today have a mix of races, genders, cultures, sexual orientations, and up to five different generations of workers. Yet according to Different by Design study done by Deloitte, only 11% of companies have highly inclusive work environments and only 4% believe that they are good at engaging millennials and other generations at work. The EU Inclusion and Diversity Strategy (I&D) in the workplace, the EU Pillar of Social Rights, the EU 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, and the Sustainable Development Goals indicate that the business case for I&D is stronger than ever, highlighting the need to support and promote the development of more diverse workplaces, to create a fairer and more equal Europe for all. Needs analysis regarding I&D at work showcases the urgent need to upscale the HR trainers and entry and mid-level managers in the subject area, as there is a lack of I&D policies in companies, and the soft skills and knowledge of the aforementioned target groups about what I&D means, how it can boost organizational performance, what are the EU priorities and strategies regarding I&D, as well the SDGs goals related to this topic is insufficient.