REDUCING INEQUALITIES
Equity
We believe there is great strength in diversity, and that everybody deserves to feel valued. We are committed to respecting human rights across our own operations and supply chain. This begins with further developing our company’s culture and mindset.
Reducing inequalities and ensuring that people are not left behind is essential to meaningful social progress. This progress has been seriously challenged in the last few years. Economic shocks, geopolitical instability, and social disruption have widened existing gaps and exposed persistent structural barriers to opportunity.
Addressing inequality is one of the priorities shaping our actions and decisions. It underpins a range of our activities, from how we support our workforce through to how we engage with the communities connected to our business. Creating a sense of belonging by recognizing and valuing our differences is critical to enabling collaboration, creativity, and innovation in our workplace. Our shared path is to build a corporate culture based on trust where employees are encouraged to show initiative, think proactively, and be open to sharing new ideas. We embrace the role that companies like Henkel can have as key players in reducing adverse impacts and contributing to more inclusive, resilient social outcomes.
Targets
Commitments
* In compliance with local laws and regionally tailored approaches.
ADVANCING FAIRNESS AND EQUITY
LIVING WAGE PROGRAM AT HENKEL
As part of our commitment to fair working conditions, Henkel has established a global approach to ensuring that the remuneration of our employees worldwide remains consistently aligned with local living wage benchmarks. Paying living wages is a critical lever to address in-work poverty and reduce income inequality, particularly for workers in lower wage segments.
To support this commitment, Henkel conducts a regular, global assessment to verify that employee remuneration remains aligned with internationally recognized local living wage benchmarks developed by the Fair Wage Network. The assessment is carried out across all regions and business areas at Henkel and applies to all employees. The assessment methodology is based on internationally recognized good-practice principles. It is designed to ensure consistency and credibility across geographies.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
strengthen our culture of belonging
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are core elements of our corporate culture. For us, diversity means the variety of talents, perspectives, and characteristics that make our employees and partners unique. This includes gender, gender identity, LGBTQ+, age, disability, family status, social origin, ethnicity, and religion. With around 47,200 employees worldwide, it is this diversity that drives our strength and success.
We believe that a diverse workforce and an open, respectful environment are key to success in a globalized world. Different perspectives, cultures, and ways of thinking help us develop creative, innovative solutions that meet the needs of diverse markets and stakeholders.
Respecting Human Rights
Our ethical and legal business practices are closely linked to our commitment to internationally recognized human rights. Since 1994, our Mission and Principles have emphasized the importance of social values. In 2000, we introduced a Code of Conduct that explicitly supports human rights. Henkel has been a signatory to the UN Global Compact since 2003, reinforcing our commitment to its principles on human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption. Our human rights policies are detailed in our Code of Corporate Sustainability, Social Standards, and Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) Standards. They are guided by international frameworks such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines. We continuously monitor global and national developments to inform and strengthen effective due diligence measures.
To identify, prevent and address human rights and environmental risks – like child labor and forced labor – Henkel applies a company-wide risk management and due diligence process. By embedding due diligence into processes and decision-making, we aim to continuously strengthen how potential impacts are identified and addressed.
Explore how we drive transformational impact
for the good of generations
for the good of generations
