- Success story
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Beko: Inspiring an Inclusive and Healthy Work Environment in the Home Appliance Industry
Learn how Beko create an inspiring, inclusive and healthy work environment.
Beko is the leader of the Romanian home appliance market. With a history of more than half a century, it became part of the Arçelik group starting 2002, and has since continuously and significantly increased both its turnover and production capacity while integrating sustainability into its business model.
- HR Practices
- Relationships
The company owns in Romania two of the largest home appliance factories in Continental Europe, the Gaesti unit, which has produced over 42 million refrigerators to date, and the washing machine factory in Ulmi, the first Industry 4.0 factory in the country, showcasing state-of-the-art technologies in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and process automation. Due to its sustainability achievements, the Ulmi factory was recognized by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as one of the greenest production centers globally, being awarded Sustainability Lighthouse status, one of the few of its kind in Europe. The company is currently exporting 84% of its total production to over 80 countries, employing around 4,500 people.
How do you actively engage your employees?
Creating an inspiring, inclusive, and healthy work environment is of utmost importance for our company. We implement employee development programs that incorporate the latest trends in technology and digitization, along with initiatives focused on physical and mental health, such as the Beko WellCare Journey. In addition, at Beko we provide training sessions so that all staff, including interns, subcontractors and temporary employees can contribute to the company's sustainability targets. We champion gender equality in technology through initiatives like Women inTech and Beko Women Community. Throughout 2023 we organized around 50 workshops for Beko employees on our workplace culture.
What are the most significant HR challenges faced by your industry today?
The white goods industry, like many others, is constantly looking for creating and sustaining inclusive workplace cultures and of addressing unconscious bias. Our HR efforts go towards fostering an environment where employees of all backgrounds feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities for growth. The industry is also increasingly recognizing the importance of holistic health for employees - physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Stress management, mental health awareness, access to wellness programs are all critical areas that need addressing. Moreover, work-life is not just a personal need, it is a critical initiative that benefits businesses, employees, and society at large.
The home appliance industry faces challenges in attracting and retaining top talent, especially in fields like engineering, design, and technology. The intersection of DEI, employee wellbeing, and talent acquisition requires integrated HR strategies.
Human Resources Director
Could you share details about the teamwork activities offered to your employees?
Beko prioritizes teamwork for holistic employee growth and fosters an inclusive work environment through initiatives like Beko Women Community and Beko WellCare Journey. These programs tackle gender imbalance and promote well-being, showcasing our dedication to a positive workplace culture. Beko Women Community was established in 2020, empowers women professionally and personally while striving for gender balance in management through diverse projects and partnerships like workshops, cancer prevention campaigns, and mentoring programs. The Beko WellCare Journey was launched 2022, focuses on employees' well-being across seven dimensions, including physical and emotional health, fostering a healthy lifestyle and work-life balance. With both offline and online components, it provides comprehensive support for employees on their well-being journey.
Reflect on your experience with the Best Places to Work certification journey.
The communication throughout the certification process was characterized by a high degree of transparency and clarity. The team at Best Places to Work demonstrated a commendable level of professionalism, providing essential support for pivotal steps in the process. The comprehensive report furnished by the certification process serves as a valuable tool for companies to identify areas for improvement. The method employed, wherein strengths were underscored, is duly appreciated. The subsequent follow-up meeting proved to be enlightening and contributory to the overall evaluation.
What advice would you give to someone looking to implement the certification process for their organization?
The certification process involves an assessment of workplace practices and culture that provides valuable insights for identifying strengths and areas for improvement. The focus should not be on the immediate goal - getting the certification, but on creating a culture of continuous improvement and on authenticity. Every employee deserves to work in an environment where they feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Treating employees fairly is not only ethical sound but also a strategic imperative for long-term success. Being recognized as a "Best Place to Work" brings great added value to a company beyond just the accolade itself. It signifies that the organization has successfully cultivated a positive and supportive work environment. This recognition not only attracts top talent but also enhances employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention. Moreover, it is an acknowledgement of the investments made in employee well-being, professional development, and work-life balance, serving as a reminder of the positive impact that prioritizing people can have on the organization.
