Group Report 2023

Diversity and inclusion

In 2022, UNIQA published its own diversity and inclusion strategy for the first time. It serves as the basis and framework for all our activities in this area. As an integral part of our UNIQA 3.0 programme, this strategy is clearly aligned with our Guiding Principles. In addition to specific measurable goals, it also contains a bundle of initiatives that focus primarily on three key areas: equal pay for work of equal value, more women in management positions and employee inclusion.

Our overarching goal is to promote diversity and inclusion at UNIQA. We will continue to pursue the following specific priorities:

  1. Equal pay for work of equal value
  2. Promoting equal opportunities with the clear aim of bringing more women into management positions in the future
  3. Generation management – old and young together contribute to the success of the company
  4. Achieving a work/life balance
  5. Utilising internationality and cultural diversity as a strength
  6. People with disabilities – better inclusion and support
  7. Clear commitment to non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and identity

To create commitment and clear responsibilities, we drew up a Diversity & Inclusion Policy and rolled it out for the entire Group in 2023. By organising international conferences and appointing people to be responsible for the topic in the various countries, a network has been established that drives the relevant concepts forward and facilitates optimal networking throughout the Group.

Equal pay for work of equal value

A standardised annual process has been established in Austria for evaluating, analysing and developing measures concerning the pay gap. The adjusted pay gap was again below 1 per cent in 2023.

In the (core) markets of Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, an equal pay analysis was carried out for the first time in 2023. Preparations were made to carry out the analysis in 2024 in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Ukraine.

The importance of fair pay is underlined not least by the inclusion of a target for the unexplained gender pay gap in the variable component of management remuneration for 2024.

More women in management positions

Increasing the proportion of women in management positions continues to be a very high priority for UNIQA. With this goal in mind, a new assessment according to the Women’s Career Index was carried out in 2023. Since the first analysis in 2020/21, this proportion has improved from 63 to 77 index points, which is already well above the target value of 70. The decisive factors behind this increase were a number of targeted measures, including the adoption and communication of the diversity and inclusion strategy and the definition of specific measurable targets, the development of guidelines for filling management positions and promotions, mandatory training for all managers on the topic of “Unconscious Mind. Inclusive Leadership”, the activities of relevant networks, the UNIQA mentoring programme for women and the offer of job/top sharing and part-time management models.

In Austria, the proportion of women in all management positions increased in 2023 by almost 9 per cent, rising from 26.0 per cent to 28.3 per cent. However, the target of an increase of 5 percentage points remained unachieved at just 2.3 percentage points (on average). This target was therefore once again defined as a priority for the coming years with a focus on top management positions (Board and Board–1 levels). Differentiated approaches are being developed and pursued for UNIQA’s other markets, as the starting situation varies from country to country.

Inclusion, as experienced by employees

An inclusion index was created to measure targets and developments. This indicates the extent to which UNIQA has already succeeded in creating a working environment in which appreciation, equal opportunities, fairness and belonging can be experienced. In a Group-wide survey, a score of 4.0 (on a five-point scale) was achieved. This exceeded the target of 3.8.

Generation management

Demographic change and the increasing shortage of skilled labour continue to pose a major challenge for UNIQA. We are responding to this by training our own specialists, which will be further accelerated in 2024 with the implementation of a new apprenticeship programme at our headquarters in Vienna. International mentoring and reverse mentoring programmes as well as trainee programmes in various countries are also planned.

People with disabilities

UNIQA has actively addressed the issue of disability as a career factor by taking part in the 2023 myAbility Talent Programme. In addition, structural measures were implemented in the UNIQA Tower to create an inclusive working environment for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Examples of this include motorised doors, barrier-free sanitary facilities and height-adjustable desks.

Commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion

We are committed to the power of diversity and leave no room for intolerance and marginalisation. This is reflected in our Diversity & Inclusion Policy, which was rolled out internationally in 2023 and will be reviewed annually.

There is now a clearly defined process and clear contact persons in the event of allegations of discrimination. This allows us to offer affected employees a low-threshold option for addressing stressful situations. In addition, a mandatory e-learning programme on the topic of equal treatment has been implemented in Austria.

Two new networks were also founded in Austria: “Gemeinsam besser Familie” (Better together family) and “Sustainability”. The existing networks “Women”, “People with disabilities”, “Generations” and “LGBTQIA+” offer interested employees the opportunity to get involved in their respective topics.

UNIQA has also supported and emphasised numerous external initiatives in Austria, for example by supporting the Female Founders, the Minerva Award (a prize for greater diversity in business), the Meritus of Pride Biz Austria (LGBTQIA+), the national women’s football team, the Special Olympics and the Austrian Frauenhäuser (women’s shelters). We also welcomed the Mentory Club (women), East meets West (LGBTQIA+) and myAbility Business Forum (people with disabilities) to the UNIQA Tower.