A good working environment for everyone
As equality and equity are being eroded worldwide, Otava recognises the importance of DEI work within the company.
Otava Publishing Company and Otava Ltd have a joint DEI team that carries out systematic diversity, equity and inclusion work to support our business. This work is based on the Otava Group’s values and sustainability programme. Values are hardening all across the world, which means that efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion are more important than ever. Our DEI team wants to make room for everyone in the Otava community.
Otava launched its DEI work in 2022 with training sessions. In autumn 2023, an anonymous survey was conducted among Otava personnel to determine their experiences of equity and inclusion. A need for internal DEI work was identified on the basis of these survey results. A joint DEI team was then established for Otava Publishing Company and Otava Ltd in early 2024.
DEI stands for diversity, equity and inclusion.
“An earlier diversity and equity survey indicated that, although we comply with legislation on health and safety, working hours and other work-related matters, some people had experienced inequality or felt that they were not fully able to be themselves at work. Our team is responding to these issues,” says Nina Rung, a member of the DEI team. Rung works in general literature as an audiobook producer.
The DEI team consists of people from a number of different functions at Otava Publishing Company and Otava Ltd. Internal DEI can serve our business in a number of ways. The team is developing the Otava community into a better place to work for everyone, which will help us to retain existing talent. Striving for diversity, equity and inclusion will improve everyone’s chances of success at work. At the same time, Otava will be seen as a competitive workplace for new talent. A diverse workplace community will also better understand our changing society, thereby enabling Otava to remain one of the leading publishers in the future as well.
Different approaches to diversity
In order to raise awareness of DEI issues and spark debate, the DEI team has launched a series of breakfast events that are open to everyone. One of their aims is to highlight the broad spectrum of DEI issues, and experts from a number of fields have therefore been invited to speak at the events.
The three events that have been held to date have featured the journalist Ville Blåfield, the writer Laura Niemi and stand-up comedian Jamie MacDonald. The breakfast events have been popular, and their thought-provoking topics have been praised.
In addition to attending these joint breakfast events, senior management from Otava Publishing Company and Otava Ltd participate in DEI activities through sparring sessions that give them the opportunity to discuss the topic in peer groups with managers from other companies.
A safer space for us all
The DEI team has drawn up a set of safer space principles for Otava Publishing Company, Otava Book Printing and Otava Ltd. These common practices will strengthen the sense of psychosocial security within our workplace community.
“You might not think about the things you need to keep in mind until you see them in writing,” says application specialist Saila Salonen.
One of the main principles of creating a safer space is to be aware of your own assumptions. The principles are a reminder that you really need to keep these things in mind.
“Everyone makes assumptions, so it’s a good idea to be aware of this and take them into account in your interactions with others. When inviting people to an event, do we invite our employees’ husbands and wives, or simply their partners? Words have power. We, if anyone, should know that,” says Rung.
Our safer space principles help to ensure that everyone can feel more comfortable at work, and create a space where everyone can be themselves. These principles are based on Otava’s values and employer promise.
One of the main principles of creating a safer space is to be aware of your own assumptions.
Trainees provide fresh perspectives
In summer 2024, Otava Publishing Company offered a two-week summer job to a young person with support from the City of Helsinki’s summer job vouchers. The job advertisement invited applications from young people with a variety of backgrounds, including those from different language, cultural or other minority groups.
In December, Otava Learning offered TET work experience placements to two ninth graders who were studying Finnish as a second language. These places were specifically aimed at those studying Finnish as a second language, as Otava Learning’s strategy is to provide learning materials for every learner and our editorial team needed fresh perspectives on this material. The trainees helped with the creation and testing of learning materials, and also worked in Otava’s bookstore.
“The trainees, who speak Finnish as a second language, provided the knowledge and perspectives we needed to produce our learning materials,” says Tiina Talvitie, who is an editor and member of the DEI team.
Rung adds that the job also gave the trainees a sense of validation, and they realised that multilingualism is actually an asset in working life.
Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion is not only a value-driven activity for Otava Publishing Company and Otava Ltd, but also a strategic choice that supports the success of our business. The Group’s sustainability programme states that: We are a diverse and pluralistic community of experts. The DEI team helps to create a workplace in which everyone can be themselves and feel safe and valued.
