Ignitis Group recognised at Responsible Business Awards

On 30 January, the National Responsible Business Awards jury recognised Ignitis Group as the "Diversity Promoting Workplace" in the large company category. The multinational company has more than 4,600 employees in five countries. Donatas Paulauskas, Head of Human Wellbeing, Diversity and Inclusion at Ignitis Group, says that ensuring equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion is a fundamental part of the company's approach.

This is not the first award the company has received for equal opportunities. "Ignitis Group has already received Lithuania's highest recognition for its contribution to implementing equal opportunities principles within its organisation, with the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman's Office and the Human Rights Monitoring Institute awarding it three 'Wings of Equal Opportunities'. For the third year, the company has received the highest ratings in the Lithuanian Diversity Charter's company surveys. This is also the fourth consecutive year the company has received the Top Employer certificate of international recognition.

"All the awards are a significant recognition of our efforts to create equal opportunities and diversity-friendly organization. It also sends a clear message to professionals from all backgrounds who want to join us: all candidates are welcome, and discrimination is not tolerated. We foster an inclusive and supportive culture, respect diversity, and promote openness," says Donatas Paulauskas, Head of People, Diversity and Inclusion at Ignitis Group.

Ignitis Group is currently working further to improve the gender balance in top management positions and to attract women in engineering, IT, and other fields to careers in the energy sector. The company also aims to improve the inclusion and well-being of people with disabilities, LGBT+ people, and people of all ages, as well as to prevent discrimination and harassment. The Company's companies provide conditions for work-life balance and physical and emotional health, reduce the risk of burnout, and increase the psychological resilience of employees.

According to D. Paulauskas, Ignitis Group aims to create a supportive environment for employees where the best abilities of each individual can be expressed. It is also an environment where people's uniqueness and diversity are respected and valued, where people can feel safe, valued, and fulfill their potential. A strong emphasis is placed on employees' internal development and emotional health.

The National Responsible Business Awards, initiated by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour and other state institutions, are dedicated to the country's business representatives. They recognise their achievements and encourage the development of social responsibility in Lithuania. The competition, which promotes good competition not for profit but to increase social responsibility, has been organized since 2008.

The awards are presented in six nominations: 'Workplace of the Year,' 'Most Community-Oriented Company of the Year,' 'Most Environmentally Friendly Company,' 'Workplace Creating Safety and the Best Emotional Environment,' 'Workplace Promoting Diversity' and 'Socially Responsible Company of the Year.' Companies compete in three categories: micro and small (up to 49 employees), medium-sized (50-249 employees), and large enterprises (250 employees and above).