‘As one of Austria's largest employers, we see inclusion not only as a social responsibility, but also as an essential part of our corporate culture,’ emphasises Peter Gschiel, BILLA Sales Director for Styria and Southern Burgenland. ‘Our commitment is not only reflected in this Inclusion Week, but also through numerous initiatives throughout the year.’
Inclusion as part of the DNA
Since 2015, BILLA has been committed to a comprehensive strategy to offer employment and development opportunities to people with disabilities. Above and beyond the legal requirements, BILLA is focusing on innovative measures such as the ‘Quiet Hour’ to make shopping easier for people with sensory sensitivities. The online shop is also being optimised in collaboration with the Association for the Blind to ensure accessibility for all.
State Councillor for Social Affairs Doris Kampus visited BILLA PLUS on Annenstraße in Graz to see the Inclusion Week for herself and was impressed: ‘It's impressive to see how committed inclusion is being practised here. Such initiatives make a decisive contribution to breaking down barriers and offering people with disabilities real opportunities. The commitment to an inclusive working environment sends out a strong signal in favour of solidarity in our society.’
Breaking down barriers together
The collaboration between BILLA and the Netzwerk Berufliche Assistenz is a prime example of how companies and social organisations can work together to create solutions for an inclusive working environment.
Wolfgang Pammer, Deputy Head of the Vocational Inclusion Department at the Social Ministry Service Styria, emphasises the importance of such initiatives: ‘Inclusion Week is an excellent example of how targeted cooperation can create concrete, sustainable solutions for the labour market. Such initiatives help to put inclusion into practice and break down barriers so that long-term employment relationships are created.’
Inge Stöger, company contact at NEBA Betriebsservice Graz und Graz-Umgebung, adds: ‘The close cooperation with BILLA enables us to give young people with support needs practical insights into the food retail sector and open up realistic prospects for their professional future. Such experiences are invaluable for the young people and essential to actively promote inclusion in the labour market. The labour market integration of this group is not only of great importance for the young people themselves, but also for society and the economy, which urgently need well-trained skilled workers.’ Sandra Schimmler, Managing Director of Jugend am Werk Steiermark, adds: ‘BILLA Inclusion Week is an impressive example of how we can build bridges together - between people with support needs and an inclusive labour market. Diversity works, creates real opportunities for everyone involved and enriches our working world in the long term.’
A positive sign for diversity
BILLA is proud of the diversity of its own workforce. Around 800 employees with disabilities contribute to the success of the company, which employs people from over 100 nations. The company is convinced that diversity is a strength and therefore continuously focuses on measures that promote a positive and healthy working environment.
A call for co-design
In Austria, over 15 per cent of people live with a disability and are often confronted with prejudices and barriers. BILLA sees it as its duty to actively contribute to inclusion and promote the participation of all people. ‘We want to act not only as an employer, but also as a role model and inspire other companies to work towards an inclusive society,’ says Gschiel.
Through initiatives such as Inclusion Week and a variety of programmes for professional integration, BILLA shows that inclusion is not only a social responsibility, but also a real enrichment for the entire community.
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