At Demcon, we have many international colleagues and English is spoken in many places. But for learning the Dutch language, it is of course good to talk Dutch with colleagues from time to time. It is nice if there is also time and space for that. With that in mind, we started the Conversation club in March 2023. This is a recurring informal meeting where our Dutch and international colleagues talk to each other in Dutch. This gives our international colleagues the opportunity to practice and improve their Dutch in an accessible way.

We launched the Social Buddy program internally in 2023. This initiative brings colleagues together to discuss everyday social experiences that can have an impact on work. Think about topics such as work-life balance, informal care, parenting, or navigating the Dutch workplace as an international.

A number of colleagues have signed up to be social buddy coaches. Their role is not to replace the supervisor or HR, but to share their personal experiences and support colleagues. At the same time, in doing so, they develop their own mentoring skills. The program thus provides a valuable and personal way to strengthen each other and grow within the organization.

We value a socially safe working environment for all our employees. This means an environment in which colleagues treat each other respectfully, can be themselves, dare to make mistakes and can use their professionalism to the best of their abilities. Transgressive behavior is not accepted by us in any form, regardless of by whom it is displayed.

In order to prevent undesirable behavior, we have drawn up a clear step-by-step plan for 'Undesirable Behavior' and made the information about our confidants more visible internally. We also offer training in giving and receiving feedback so that together we continue to strengthen a culture of openness and respect.

We have a diversity & inclusion focus group. This group consists of colleagues who find diversity and inclusion an important topic and want to make it discussable. From the focus group comes a number of very concrete actions. For example, they are taking the lead in organizing workshops and lectures. Round table discussions are also being held and small libraries per location have been set up with relevant books on diversity and inclusion. This is how we want to get the conversation going. After all, it is important to accept calling each other out on certain issues.

A pumping room is available at several Demcon locations. In addition, prayers can be offered in the prayer room.

In our recruitment policy, we actively pay attention to diversity and inclusion. We believe it is important to create an enjoyable and safe workplace where everyone feels welcome and valued and can be themselves. With us, everyone gets equal opportunities - both during the recruitment process and in further development and daily work.

We introduce young people to technology and look beyond diplomas or certificates. We focus on discovering a person's potential and possibilities, so that everyone at Demcon has the opportunity to grow.