Diversity & Inclusion

Our Diversity and Inclusion Policy

EBN has an active diversity & inclusion (D&I) policy, which we report on to the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER). Our four pillars show how we work to create a safe, open and fair working environment:

1. Equality and non-discrimination

   We do not discriminate on the basis of origin, ethnicity, gender (identity), sexual orientation, beliefs, age or disability. Your qualifications, skills and potential for growth always come first, both for current employees and during recruitment and selection. Annual research shows that EBN is an equal pay organisation with no unexplained pay differences between men and women.

2. Inclusive leadership

   Our managers are encouraged to create an environment in which every employee feels valued, heard and involved. This starts with the selection of new managers. We pay close attention to whether someone fits the way we want to work together as an organisation.

3. Creating a safe and respectful working environment

   We believe it is important that everyone at EBN can be themselves. Employees can always discuss inappropriate behaviour with our confidential advisors. They are there to listen, provide support and help address concerns. Together, we create a positive and open working environment.

4. Promoting diverse talent

   We encourage diversity at every level of the organisation and support the development of diverse talent. In recruitment, we pay particular attention to underrepresented groups. For example, we offer traineeships and a Young Professionals Programme to attract talent under the age of 35.

Everyone belongs at EBN

We strive to provide equal opportunities at every stage of working life: from recruitment and selection to development, career progression and leadership. Transparent processes, fair conversations and conscious decision-making are essential in this regard. We also actively work to raise awareness, improve accessibility and remove barriers, both within teams and in collaboration with partners. Examples of how we do this include:

Inclusive recruitment and selection

At EBN, we apply a recruitment and selection approach that offers equal opportunities to everyone, with a focus on talent and growth. We strive for an equal gender balance, an ambitious goal within the technical field of expertise in which EBN operates. We also aim for 33% of our new colleagues to be under the age of 35.

Young talent brings fresh ideas and new perspectives that help us grow. That is why we actively encourage their entry through our traineeships and Young Professional Programme.

A workplace for everyone

At EBN, we take different needs, backgrounds and beliefs into account. For example, we have a quiet room and prayer room that can be reserved, and we offer healthy lunch options, including vegetarian, halal and vegan dishes. We also always look at what someone needs to work comfortably. For instance, we arrange a home workspace assessment to ensure that you can work safely and comfortably from home without experiencing physical complaints. To support a healthy work-life balance, we also offer opportunities for hybrid working. In this way, we create an environment where everyone can participate and make the best possible contribution.

Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Our Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Committee works to strengthen diversity and inclusion across the organisation. The committee focuses on raising awareness of what diversity and inclusion mean, how these themes are reflected in everyday life, and why they matter. The committee advises the Executive Board and HR on diversity and inclusion and organises training sessions and workshops to increase awareness. By doing so, the committee aims to encourage open and accessible conversations about diversity and inclusion throughout the organisation.