Inclusion means: Succeeding together

"The demographic trend is moving in a direction in which the workforce of companies is getting older and by that cases of illnesses, disabilities or even severe disabilities become more likely," explains Olaf Guttzeit, employer representative for the concerns of severely disabled people at Boehringer Ingelheim. "The likelihood of employees having a longer working life to acquire an illness, disability or severity in the course of their employment is increasing. The action plan already promotes a common focus on the idea of ​​inclusion, and is a key tool for hiring more people with disabilities or keeping them employed."

Accessibility

Especially in the area of ​​accessibility, Boehringer Ingelheim has already done a lot. For example, accessibility is guaranteed from the outset in new projects, and disabled colleagues are also included in the planning. A successful example is the new employee restaurant. In terms of barrier-free communication, company-internal videos are also provided with subtitles or transcripts. In addition, Boehringer Ingelheim has developed a guideline for valuable communication, which also takes the needs of people with physical and mental impairments into account.

Health management, prevention & rehabilitation

In the area of ​​health prevention, Boehringer Ingelheim, as one of the first companies, has established a uniform procedure for occupational rehabilitation management in cooperation with specialists in occupational rehabilitation for all four locations.

Education, training and qualification

In order to enable young people with disabilities to reach a qualification, Boehringer Ingelheim carries out numerous projects, alone or with partners. Currently, Boehringer Ingelheim employs ten apprentices with disabilities and is actively involved in the nationwide project "!NkA - Inclusive Training", which was launched by the “UnternehmensForum” in 2013.

A new "basic understanding"

However, the aim of the Convention is not only to improve the external framework but also to achieve a different "basic understanding" – a shift in mindset: "Many people without disabilities still see what disabled people cannot do - often only the weaknesses are perceived. But we at Boehringer Ingelheim want to see the strengths," says Olaf Guttzeit.

Action week "Inklusion bewegt" (“Inclusion moves”)

"Despite all the positive examples, we see that inclusion is not a project with a defined ending, but a process that wants to be filled with new life every day. Therefore, we will continue to pursue the objectives set out in our action plan to enable people with disabilities to participate in the workplace."

On the occasion of the International Day of People with Disabilities on December 3rd, "Inclusion" at Boehringer Ingelheim comes alive. Under the motto "Inklusion bewegt" at Ingelheim and Biberach, various activities such as handbike driving, sign language courses or a Table tennis duel with the European champion Selcuk Cetin take place.

"Inclusion has a high relevance for our company from two perspectives: we as a researching company depend more than ever on all potentials - also on the people with disabilities, who are often underestimated. Secondly, we benefit from the diversity of our employees. The company's climate improves when employees with and without disabilities, despite their differences, work together in a completely natural way. Strengths are taken into consideration, and not the weaknesses - this increases the innovative power and flexibility and thus our competitiveness".