UniCredit today announces that the Bank has joined the Valuable 500 - a global movement focused on putting disability themes on the business leadership agenda. UniCredit's commitment was signed at Group level by CEO Jean Pierre Mustier and the Bank also joined at country level in Austria, through UniCredit Bank Austria[1].
Jean Pierre Mustier UniCredit CEO commented: "Diversity and inclusion are key for companies, bringing a better working environment and supporting risk mitigation and management. Now more than ever, during a very difficult time for so many, we must stand together and respect all our differences. Joining the Valuable 500 once again demonstrates our strong commitment to diversity and inclusion as well as building on our ongoing efforts that include dedicated policies, trainings, key external partnerships and internal engagement initiatives on disability management."
UniCredit has been investing in disability management for more than ten years, including specific training for managers, internal engagement initiatives, partnerships with relevant external organisations and dedicated corporate policies in line with the Joint Declaration on "Equal Opportunities and Non-Discrimination" signed in 2009.
In addition, UniCredit appointed a Diversity and Inclusion Manager for the Group in 2018, has set up a Group level Diversity and Inclusion Committee that includes the CEO and has dedicated Disability Managers in place in both Italy and Austria.
In Italy, four disability working groups make sure that colleagues are continuously involved in discussions on the disability management strategy and priorities, to help ensure the Bank's progress in the right direction. In Austria, UniCredit Bank Austria is the country's leading bank on accessibility and inclusion providing barrier-free branches, self-service devices, advisory in sign language and accessible online services.
UniCredit has also been recognised for the continued work on disability management through a number of external awards, including Top Employer certifications in 2018, 2019 and 2020; the Associazione Italiana Formatori (Italian Association of Trainers) Award for Ethics and CSR with a special mention of Diversity in 2019; the Austrian Leading Companies Special Prize in 2019 for an inclusive work environment and the Zero Project Award in 2018 for SmartBanking in sign language, both awarded to UniCredit Bank Austria.
Furthermore, last year, on December 3, UniCredit joined the #PurpleLightUp campaign lighting the spire of its headquarters in Milan purple to promote inclusion and equal opportunities regardless of disability.
The Bank is currently strongly focused on developing its digital accessibility for both colleagues and customers as a central part of the commitment to become increasingly inclusive and diverse with the disability topic firmly on the business agenda. This includes a fully accessible intranet platform as well as ensuring that all banking services are available through remote channels.
Milan, 21 May 2020
About the Valuable 500
The Valuable 500 unites companies and leaders committed to putting disability inclusion on their business leadership agenda. The final 500 leaders part of this movement will be announced at the United Nations General Assembly in 2020. See more info here.
[1] UniCredit Bank Austria joined The Valuable 500 in December 2019. See more info here.