Fostering creativity, innovation and resilient supply chains through diversity and inclusion
As outlined in our Fair Employment Policy, Olam is an equal opportunity employer and we strive to promote diversity and inclusiveness at all levels in the organisation. We strongly believe that a diversity of experience, culture and perspective is required to help our business excel.
We expect our suppliers to create an inclusive work environment that avoids any form of discrimination. As stated in the Olam Supplier Code and Living Landscapes Policy, all forms of harassment, intimidation, and abuse or threat are not permissible. We also encourage them to achieve gender equality, equal access and empowerment of women.
Both Olam and our suppliers must respect the rights of indigenous people and their cultural heritage.
We are committed to ensuring gender equality throughout our value chain – from our plantations and farms, to the processing units, offices and senior management. This includes wages, opportunity for promotion and training.
Read more in the Human and Social Capital sections of our 2019 Annual Report about our activities. This blog to mark UN International Day of Rural Women (15 October 2020) also explains in more detail our learnings on gender empowerment.
GROW is Olam's first employee resource group established in 2013. It is led by women but open to all genders. Our goal is to increase women leaders at Olam by driving a globally inclusive work environment.
Initially formed in the U.S. by Olam Spices employees, GROW has expanded to five global chapters including Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Gabon, Brazil and Tanzania.
The pathway to achieving global diversity and inclusivity in the workplace rests on three strategic programs:
Mentoring can play a key role in career development when two people share experiences and expertise to help with personal and professional growth. GROW’s mentoring program matches Mentors with Mentees and guides them through a mutually beneficial program that exposes them to new perspectives and career advancing skills.
The GROW curriculum focusses on skills that improve employees’ chances for career development. Development Pods offer instruction in communication, finance, and career path management. Classes led by an instructor are in a small group format that fosters open communication, intimate discussion, relationship building and increased engagement.
GROW’s new recognition program, Growing Leaders, focuses on its members and how they have progressed as a leader within Olam. We want to showcase their many talents, let you get to know them, and include important recognition from their peers and manager.
Hear what the people in the programme have to say
“This was my first time participating in GROW and I had a great experience! Having the opportunity to connect with someone from a different location was rewarding. I enjoyed listening to my mentee and sharing my own experiences with her. We had many great conversations and I was proud to hear the progress she was making in the short time she has been with Olam. Happy to have had the opportunity to build a relationship with such a bright individual.”
Yariana Garcilazo - Mentor - HR Manager, Hanford (left)
“This was my first year participating in the GROW Mentoring Program and I’m glad I was able to be a part of it as my mentor helped me navigate through my first year at Olam even while being in different locations. It was not easy coordinating our skype meetings but by putting in the effort and being able to be transparent with my mentor, it allowed us to develop our relationship as we went through the program.”
Ericka Villasenor - Mentee - Production Supervisor, Gilroy (right)
