Employees are actively involved in developing Granlund’s diversity efforts

“In the team, we can speak for all international Granlund employees and influence aspects such as the language question and the inclusion of women,” says Junior Project Manager Priyanka Thapa from the Data Centre department.

She hopes for more open attitudes towards international employees as a different cultural background does not in any way affect the employee’s competence. She also finds it important to highlight the diversity of the employees.

Internationality becomes more and more valued

Priyanka appreciates Granlund for recognising the issues related to diversity and for seeking development. Understanding the problem is the first step in fixing it.

AI Lead Davor Stjelja from Granlund’s Innovation department witnesses the company’s wide-ranging international pioneership in his daily work. That is why he finds it a shame that some of the expertise is hidden by a language barrier.

We can influence aspects such as the language question and the inclusion of women

Priyanka Thapa

Energy Specialist Nhung Nguyen also believes that promoting diversity will attract talented international workers to Granlund, which will promote success and the retention of top experts.

“The diversity and inclusion efforts also make us international Granlund employees feel welcome and appreciated.”

Network of talent brings people together

International employees also have an informal network at Granlund. A year ago, Davor set up a talent network where international workers get to know one another and share their experiences.

“Previously, we were aware of the existence of other international employees but had no efficient means of communication,” says Davor.

Promoting diversity will attract talented international workers to Granlund.

Nhung Nguyen

Granlund is increasingly producing English-language communications, training and other materials, and the social language practices of the work community are also slowly changing. Speaking English is starting to feel easier.

“The coworkers’ attitudes towards international employees have changed in a couple of years, and my Finnish coworkers are now more active in contacting me,” says Priyanka with a smile.

Granlund has organised Finnish language courses for several years. They offer the chance to practise the language and talk casually about various topics. Anna emphasises that shared events, lunch events and evening events are also needed to enable Finnish-speaking employees and international employees to meet and talk face to face.

“Openness reduces everyone’s loneliness, and learning about other cultures is fun. People who think differently also make great, innovative teams.”

Anna mentions small ways of supporting Finnish as a second language in informal situations. Having native Finnish speakers speak slowly and simply, just like in Finnish language courses, makes it easier for international employees to understand them.