Diversity – in every form – is one of the most important success factors for us. Because as diverse as our customers, suppliers and investors are worldwide, so diverse are our teams, which manage to put a smile on our customers' faces every day.
JOY THROUGH DIVERSITY.
OUR BMW GROUP COMMITMENT.
Passion knows no differences.
This is why we encourage diversity in all our teams. Because if you want to set standards in shaping the sustainable and individual mobility of the future, you also have to go ahead with the corporate culture. This diversity in our teams enables us to better understand, reflect and make more intelligent decisions about the various requirements of our stakeholders from all over the world. Our diversity is the cornerstone of our company's success and not only secures our innovative strength, but also our long-term competitiveness.
DIVERSITY IN ALL ITS DIMENSIONS.
GENDER.
To us, equal opportunities for everyone are not an empty promise, but a reality we live by – every day and everywhere. Because we know that it is the varied and mutually complementary perspectives and approaches of each individual that make us strong enough to face our challenges.
The skills of our female colleagues are an essential element to the success of the BMW Group. Not only do we appreciate their expertise and dedication – but also their communicative skills which prove invaluable in creating a better togetherness. With our women's network and other internal organisations, we offer them the best conditions for networking and exchange with each other.
2024, we were indexed with the seal of the "Frauen-Karriere-Index" (FKi). This recognised our successful activities to establish more women in leadership positions and to achieve overall greater diversity in the organisation.
We also work closely with external partners to further strengthen our commitment to gender diversity, including the "Alliance for Women in STEM Professions" (Bündnis für Frauen in MINT-Berufen), PANDA – the Women Leadership Network and the "Alliance Together Against Sexism" (Bündnis Gemeinsam gegen Sexismus).
AGE & EXPERIENCE.
The average number of years an employee works for the BMW Group is increasing. This is due to an earlier entry into the company, as well as a later exit, e.g. due to rising retirement ages. In order to benefit from the strengths and experiences of employees of different ages, we have introduced a variety of programmes for flexible and mobile working.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABILITIES.
By creating optimal, barrier-free working conditions we ensure that all of our colleagues, whether they have a disability or not, feel comfortable and empowered to shape creative processes from a variety of different perspectives. Because we know that different perspectives play an essential role in us achieving great things together, every day. We use innovative digitalisation and industry 4.0 solutions to make work easier, in particular for our colleagues with disabilities.
We also get involved outside of our company e.g. through cooperations with programmes for the disabled and our engagement as part of the Valuable 500.
CULTURAL BACKGROUND.
We are proud to have colleagues from over 100 different nations in our teams, and strive to promote cultural exchange through targeted talent development, inter-cultural engagement and intensive international exchange.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION & IDENTITY.
For us, diversity means living a culture that is based on appreciation and respect, so that people of all origins can contribute and develop with their personality and identity.
BMW Group PRIDE stands for exactly that. The network acts as the mouthpiece of the LGBTIQ+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer) where diversity, equality, trust, respect and inclusion come first. Together, we ensure a positive, tolerant and open work environment in which everyone is welcome regardless of their sexual identity.
We also send a clear signal to the outside world: in 2021, for instance, we joined the PROUT EMPLOYER network of the Prout at Work Foundation and signed the "UN Standards of Conduct for Business for Tackling Discrimination against LGBTI people". We also commit ourself as partner of the "Together Against Sexism Alliance" (Bündnis Gemeinsam gegen Sexismus).
DIVERSITY CHARTER.
In 2011, we took a proactive approach to the topic of diversity by joining the Diversity Charter, a corporate initiative dedicated to making recognition, appreciation and integration of diversity a part of German corporate culture. By signing the Charter, we pledged to create a working environment free of prejudice.
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MULTIFACETED INSIGHTS.
We pursue our goal of a diverse, inclusive culture not only internally. We use our voice to inspire, to convince and to stimulate dialogue, thus promoting open, appreciative togetherness. Clicking on the images below will take you to some of our social media posts that exemplify our public engagement.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SIGN LANGUAGE.
It is about what we say, not how. In order to create ideal working conditions, we ensure that all colleagues feel comfortable and are able to be part of creative processes – also the ones that can't speak or hear.
INTERNATIONAL TOLERANCE DAY.
Passion knows no difference. Diversity is an indispensable element for the future of the BMW Group. Diversity and individuality make us strong and innovative in order to lead the way to a better and sustainable tomorrow.
WORLD AIDS DAY.
At the BMW Group, we are all united by one passion. There is no room for discrimination. Just as there is no room for HIV stigma. We show our support for people living with HIV, their families and their rights.
COMING OUT DAY.
Passion knows no right or wrong. We welcome and appreciate you no matter which gender you belong to or whom you are in love with. That is why we give our colleagues the same chances and support them with individual solutions.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS.
As a company with over 150,000 employees around the world we also benefit from the experience and knowledge of our elderly colleagues who have often worked within the BMW Group for many years.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FRIENDSHIP.
It’s all about friendship: Appreciation, openness, trust, transparency, responsibility… Values that are also essential for us at the BMW Group. Living those values day by day, many colleagues also become friends over time.
INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY.
Women from around the globe with their diverse talents and competencies, with their personality and passion bring our company a step forward every day.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE.
At the BMW Group there are many women across all divisions working in science and technology – and even though there could still be more, we are proud to have so many female colleagues in these areas on our teams.
TALKING ABOUT DIVERSITY.
Diversity is a multifaceted term – especially when we talk about its dimensions and implementation in the company. Colleagues from different areas of the BMW Group answer the question of what exactly defines diversity and what it looks like in everyday life.
"Diversity is the foundation of our success. A working environment free of prejudice, combined with respectful coexistence, are important requirements for this."
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ILKA HORSTMEIER.
Member of the Board of Management, People and Real Estate, Labour Relations Director.
"We benefit from the diversity of our employees and their different perspectives. After all, our customers also differ in terms of their nationality, age and gender."
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DR. STEFAN KASPEROWSKI.
Head of Production High-Voltage Storage Generation 5 Dingolfing, Regensburg.
"Diversity in my team offers us the great advantage that we can bring together the different experiences of the individual employees. Open communication and appreciation – both part of our corporate culture – are very important to me and I'm committed to living by them."
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TINA SCHMIDT-KIENDL.
Head of Project Management Product Line BMW M.
"My team stands for diversity, culture, a friendly atmosphere and flexible working hours. The diversity in my team helps us to understand, reflect and make more intelligent decisions."
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NISHA PARRAKAT.
Software Specialist Base System.
"We ensure that all employees work in an environment that is characterised by 100% tolerance and thus makes 100% performance possible. This is a personal concern for me. Therefore: Zero tolerance for intolerance and discrimination!”
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FRANK WEBER.
Member of the Board of Management, Development.
"Our PRIDE network is already active at many locations of the BMW Group worldwide. We want the company and team to keep an open mind, and we need strong role models up and down the hierarchy who lead by example and practise tolerance and diversity."
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CLAUDIA AND CHRISTIAN.
Representatives of our internal PRIDE network.
More diversity content on other channels.
Page Overview: Diversity