Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our markets and products are diverse, and so are our people. At Henkel, we pursue a holistic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) approach, with a particular focus on the dimensions gender, ethnicity, LGBTQ+, disabilities, and generations. Henkel has the aspiration to drive progress across all these dimensions. In 2007, Henkel was one of the first German DAX companies to establish a dedicated global diversity management. Today, DEI is anchored in the company strategy and corporate culture. To foster this in all areas of the company, the company has also established a company-wide DEI network which works collaboratively across all departments and regions. Additionally, employees worldwide engage in over 50 Employee Resource Groups, advocating for greater diversity.

Gender

  • Henkel has the ambition to continuously increase the ratio of women in the company at all levels. The share of women in management positions was at 43 percent in 2025.
  • To strive for more gender diversity, Henkel will further accelerate its programs and measures along the whole employee lifecycle – from recruitment to development and retention. This includes gender inclusive recruitment and talent attraction, a thoroughly monitored promotion and succession plan, intensive internal upskilling on diversity, unconscious bias trainings and inclusion programs, expanding working formats such as shared or part-time leadership roles, as well as further leveraging Henkel’s numerous mentoring and networking initiatives for diversity worldwide.
  • At Henkel, flexible working models, such as part-time or remote work, are part of everyday work life. For hybrid roles, up to 40 percent of remote work is possible. We understand that leveraging the skills and talents of all employees is only possible when we enable the balance between family and work.
  • Since beginning of 2023, Henkel is a member of the global LEAD network (Leading Executives Advancing Diversity) which aims to advance women in the consumer goods industry in Europe through education, leadership and business development.
  • In 2024, Henkel introduced a new global benefit to support parents-to-be: All employees worldwide becoming parents will receive a minimum standard of eight weeks of fully paid parental leave from the company. The global policy is based on the role of the caregiver and applies to all genders and forms of parenthood, including adoptive or foster parents, same-sex couples, or single parents. With this initiative, Henkel is making a clear statement towards greater equality in childcare.

Internationality and origin

  • With more than 47,000 employees in 75 countries with a total of 125 nationalities, cultural diversity is a part of everyday working life at Henkel.
  • More than 80 percent of our employees work outside of Germany and over 43 percent of our employees originate from emerging markets.
  • An international workforce composed of people with different cultural backgrounds is important in a global company like Henkel, as it enables us to develop an understanding of our markets. 

LGBTQ+

  • Henkel strives to create a working environment that is open to all people regardless of their sexual orientation or identity.
  • Henkel has LGBTQ+ networks in several countries and raises awareness of the topic through a range of events and activities. For instance, on “Pride Month” or “Coming Out Day”, the company signals its support for the LGBTQ+ community with internal and external contributions and activities.
  • In 2025, Henkel participated in 17 Pride Parades worldwide with more than 1500 employees attending.
  • Henkel is also a member of Out Leadership, a global LGBTQ+ business network that offers insights and information on LGBTQ+ topics and key tools to promote equality. 

Persons with disabilities

  • At Henkel, we foster a culture of inclusion that focuses on the skills and individual talents of persons with disabilities.
  • Through targeted programs, including in our emerging markets, Henkel strives to offer everybody an accessible work environment and equal access to opportunities while always focusing on a personʼs individual strengths rather than their limitations.
  • Henkel partners with the NGO Disability:In to further foster inclusion in the different regions.

Generations

  • At Henkel, four generations – Baby Boomers, Gen X, Y and Z – work together under the same roof.
  • In 2025, around 4 percent of Henkel employees belonged to the Baby Boomer generation, 34 percent to Generation X, roughly 50 percent to Generation Y, and just under 12 percent to Generation Z.
  • The company promotes life-long learning across all generations through appropriate training measures. For instance, through mentoring and employee networks in different business units, functions and countries, Henkel promotes knowledge transfer and an exchange of perspectives between experienced and less experienced employees.
  • Henkel also offers employees of all generations a wide range of programs for maintaining physical and mental health. The company’s social services also help to provide support to employees facing challenges at different stages of their lives such as when they take on responsibility for relatives in need of care.

Press Releases

Contact

Hanna Philipps - Corporate Media Relations - Corporate Communications
Hanna Philipps Henkel Corporate Media Relations Headquarters, Düsseldorf/Germany +49-211-797-3626 press@henkel.com Download Business Card Add to my collection