Diversity: maximizing potential

Globalization, demographic change and social developments have created a dynamic momentum in our society. The term ‘diversity’ refers to the resulting social and cultural variety that characterizes the way we live together. We want to offer both clients and employees an environment that takes this complexity into account, since we work with sophisticated global clients, who expect our teams to reflect their own diversity.

What do we want to achieve?

A diverse workforce constitutes a very special resource. We want to make use of that potential and promote it because innovative solutions for our clients can only be devised by taking various perspectives into account. The smartest teams are the most diverse.

We want to cultivate a corporate culture based on mutual respect. The objective is for every employee to enjoy a prejudice-free working environment that values differences and rejects any and all forms of discrimination. One of our top-priorities is to increase the proportion of women in senior management positions.

How are we achieving our goals?

We support and promote an inclusive corporate culture that attaches a high priority to the diversity of staff and makes it possible for employees to utilize their talents to the max
to the full and fully exploit their potential, irrespective of age, gender, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or physical capabilities.

With locations in 72 countries and a workforce with 136 nationalities, working in heterogeneous teams is a matter of course for us. Our diversity councils work to ensure that all employees can develop their individual potential at the Bank.

We have task groups that focus their attention on identifying the advantages of generational differences for more efficient processes. In order to increase the number of women in management positions, we have signed a declaration, setting out clear targets, along with other DAX 30 companies. Our ATLAS program is a tool for encouraging and supporting female executives.

What have we achieved?

We have already made steady progress, but we are well aware that further steps need to be taken.

Our aim is for women to occupy at least 25 percent of the senior management positions by 2018. In 2012, we reached the 18 percent mark and are devoted even more effort to the task. Our ATLAS program won the Global category of the Opportunity Now Excellence in Practice Awards for the fourth time in 2012.

Deutsche Bank in Australia was commended as the Most Improved Employer for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Employees in 2012 – an indication of the progress we have made in improving workplace conditions. In 2012, we were given a full 100 percent in the Corporate Equality Index of the Human Rights Campaign.