In today's diverse and interconnected world, fostering a work environment that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is not just a moral imperative but also offers strategic advantages. For Robi Axiata Limited, DEI is at the core of its organizational values. Robi understands that a diverse and inclusive workforce is a powerful driver of success, directly impacting on its business performance.

In this piece, we will explore Robi Axiata's DEI initiatives and the DEIBA Framework, highlighting the company’s innovative approach and commitment to building a culture of belongingness and sustainability.

The DEIBA Framework

Robi Axiata Limited follows the DEIBA Framework, which encompasses eight key elements:

These elements form the foundation of the company's DEI initiatives, fostering an environment that values and supports individuals from various backgrounds and experiences. The DEIBA Framework acknowledges and addresses these eight (8) perspectives. By recognizing and embracing the diversity within these perspectives, Robi Axiata ensures that its DEI initiatives are all-encompassing and impactful.

Diversity: Acceptance of Employees from All Backgrounds

Diversity is not just about numbers; it involves behavioral shift. Robi promotes diversity by encouraging the practice of empathy, open-mindedness, respectful communication, active listening, awareness of biases, embracing differences, and seeking diversity at the workplace. This approach ensures that employees from various backgrounds feel welcome and valued.

Equity: Fair Treatment, Access, and Advancement for All

Equity is achieved through fair treatment, transparency, objectivity, inclusiveness, addressing disparities, valuing diverse perspectives, and providing equal opportunities. Robi's commitment to equity ensures that every employee has a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their background.

Inclusion: Valuing and Respecting Every Individual

Inclusion is about ensuring that everyone feels valued and respected as an individual. Robi promotes inclusion by encouraging collaboration, empowerment, cultural competence, supportiveness, embracing differences, and creating a psychologically safe environment in the workplace.

Belongingness: Creating a Caring Environment

Belongingness is about making sure that every individual feels cared for. Robi fosters belongingness through trust, acceptance, affirmation, community building, and encouraging authentic self-expression, creating a sense of family within the workplace.

Accessibility: Equal Access for All

Accessibility means providing access to information, premises, and technology for all employees. Robi ensures accessibility through behavioral components like accommodation, flexibility, consideration, proactiveness, removal of barriers, and providing equal access.

Robi’s approach towards DEIBA framework

Robi ensures that the building blocks for the successful adoption of DEI principles are in place. For example, it has developed a well-defined and compelling business case for CEDEIBAS (Culture, Engagement, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belongingness, Accessibility, and Sustainability). This business case provides the philosophical backdrop for integrating DEI initiatives with the core strategic objectives of the business.

Additionally, strong Leader's Accountability is ensured by making leaders at all levels responsible for driving and exemplifying DEI practices. Recognizing bias is crucial to identifying and addressing unconscious biases that might hinder inclusivity. Hence, Inclusive Leadership is actively pursued to ensure that leaders actively promote and practice inclusive behaviors.

Finally, Sponsorship Programs play a vital role in creating opportunities for under-represented groups to advance and flourish within the organization. These measures collectively serve as the foundational pillars of Robi Axiata's commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment.

Robi's Innovative DEI Initiatives

Following are some of the key DEI initiatives that reflect the company’s unwavering commitment to DEI.

1. Wonder Woman Contest:

This initiative celebrates exceptional female employees and highlights their diverse strengths and qualities. It promotes a more inclusive work environment by recognizing and encouraging outstanding performance, innovation, agility, and digital skills.

2. Newlywed Couples Celebration:

This program creates a sense of belonging for the spouses of Robi employees, recognizing the importance of family support in an individual's success. Going beyond the employees, this program instills a sense of inclusivity by giving a special feeling to the spouses of the newlyweds.

3. Project Compassion:

Project Compassion is a groundbreaking initiative that provides comprehensive support to female colleagues during the entire child-bearing period, by prioritizing employee well-being, while ensuring business continuity. This socially responsible approach combines employee support with long-term organizational sustainability.

4. Project Khadijah and She Squad:

These initiatives, led by bdapps, provide a platform for female app developers to monetize their technical skills. By empowering female students from marginalized communities, these projects lead to economic empowerment through computer skill development and monetization training. Alongside the structured DEI initiatives, Robi’s vibrant organizational culture has been duly recognized globally.

Robi's focus on enhancing the employee experience is evident in its global recognition and high Employee Experience Index (EEI) score. Awards like "Asia's Best Employer" and "Top Global HR Leader" affirm Robi's success in creating a thriving workplace.

Robi's commitment to diversity in leadership is underscored by the "Asia's Best Woman Leader Award," recognizing the company's efforts in promoting women's leadership roles.

Hence, it’s clear that Robi’s DEI initiatives work as strategic levers that directly impact the company's business performance. But more importantly, these innovative programs serve as a testament to Robi's commitment to DEI, building a culture of belongingness and sustainability that contributes to a more inclusive, sustainable, and profitable future.