Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | KONE Sustainability

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | KONE Sustainability

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People are at the heart of everything we do.

At KONE, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are strategic drivers of success. With a global team of over 60,000 individuals representing more than 150 nationalities, we recognize that a diverse workforce fosters innovation, resilience, and stronger business performance. We believe that when people feel valued as their authentic selves, innovation flourishes and work communities thrive. We treat everyone with kindness and respect, support diverse thinking, acknowledge our biases, and always keep an open mind.

Belonging is more than inclusion – it is the foundation of trust, empowerment, and collaboration. When people feel secure and valued, they perform at their best, and organizations thrive. That is why we embed DEI into every level of our business, ensuring fair opportunities and an inclusive environment for all.

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Our DEI commitments and goals

We are committed to driving real progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion through clear targets and measurable actions:

  • We aim to increase the share of women at the director level or above to 35% by 2030.* In the end of 2024 27.4% of these positions were held by women.
  • We are committed to increasing our diversity by hiring thoughtfully from outside our industry, with competencies that complement ours.
  • We work to increase cultural diversity in our global business units to become as diverse as our customers and the communities we serve.
  • We foster belonging by embedding inclusive leadership, fair hiring practices, and equitable career development opportunities into our organizational culture.
  • We are committed to transparent, fair and inclusive pay practices to attract, motivate, and retain talent, but also to foster a positive and inclusive work environment.

*Where allowed by applicable law.

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Actions that drive change across KONE

We provide equal opportunity for everyone at KONE. We apply fair talent practices in recruitment and enable unique career paths through flexible arrangements and by supporting a healthy work-life balance. DEI is embedded in our people processes to ensure fairness, reduce bias, and drive data-informed decision making. A fair and inclusive work environment not only extends to our culture, but also into our pay practices.

We support inclusion through employee resource groups, independently led by volunteers, fostering inclusivity and psychological safety.

Our approach is embedded into everyday business practices:

  • Unbiased hiring and career development: We use data-driven processes to reduce bias in recruitment and talent management, ensuring fairness at every step.
  • Inclusive leadership development: We equip managers with DEI training and resources to cultivate diverse, high-performing teams.
  • Flexible work and career support: We provide flexible career paths and work-life balance initiatives to enable long-term success for all employees.
  • Pay equity: Our pay philosophy aims to provide clarity and establish a common understanding on how salary decisions are made. In 2024, we set a common framework for KONE globally, and each area will implement the philosophy to their pay practices starting in 2025.
  • Employee resource groups (ERGs): Currently, we have three global ERGs:
    • SPARK, an ERG for women and allies to drive growth, opportunity, and an equal work environment for all.
    • #fromKONEwithPride, an ERG dedicated to driving LGBTIQ+ inclusion
    • Thrive, an ERG for building mental health awareness and a resilient organization ​
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Beyond the workplace: KONE’s role in society

We extend our DEI efforts beyond KONE, actively advocating for a more inclusive and equal society. We are taking a stand for a fair and equal society and have endorsed the UN Standards of Conduct to publicly show our commitment for promoting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ+) inclusion.

We want all our employees to feel comfortable being themselves at work and as members of society, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. We are committed to strengthening our policies and practices to be LGBTIQ+ inclusive. To receive practical guidance and support in building inclusive practices, KONE partners with Workplace Pride, a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTIQ+ people in workplaces worldwide. Our local communities mean a lot to us, and we show our support for example by sponsoring local Pride events, like Helsinki Pride 2025.

Stories of belonging at KONE – Why inclusion matters in the workplace?

What is inclusion and why is it such an important topic also in the workplace? Hear three of our colleagues, Céline, Sander, and Stephanie, share their stories of how authenticity and open dialogue have fostered their sense of belonging. 

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