Today is International Women's Day – What does the day mean to you personally?
International Women's Day is a matter close to my heart. It serves as a shining reminder for all of us of the challenges women still face in our society today, especially in the workplace. It is simply not enough to claim equal opportunities and diversity for oneself – we also have to live them, and that takes work.
This year's motto is "Inspire Inclusion".
What opportunities do you personally see to put the 2024 motto into practice?
Last year, we launched the initiative women@codecentric . Together with colleagues from the initiative, we discuss topics such as "flexibility and equal opportunities". To promote inclusion, it is important that codecentric offers a flexible working environment that enables all employees to better balance family and career. At the same time, fair advancement opportunities are ensured regardless of gender. I am also increasingly committed to supporting women at codecentric by acting as a mentor myself. Through targeted coaching, I can encourage women to develop their skills and achieve their professional goals.
You are an executive board member at a software company – How did you find entering this predominantly male-dominated industry?
My entry went largely very smoothly. There has genuinely not been a single moment where I felt uncomfortable or where my ideas didn't receive the same recognition as those of my male colleagues. From the very beginning, I received a great deal of support from colleagues who helped me find my place. That is also what makes codecentric's culture and values so special.
Women are still underrepresented in the tech industry. What is the situation like at codecentric?
Our proportion of women is still below one third. We still have work to do and are addressing this through concrete projects, such as recruiting events for women. I am optimistic that things will change here soon.
How important is diversity among your employees to you?
Diversity among my employees is of the utmost importance to me! Diversity not only contributes to a varied and inclusive working environment, but also brings a wealth of perspectives, experiences and ideas. I firmly believe that diverse teams generally make smarter, better and more balanced decisions. Our clients benefit from this in our consulting projects.
Do you see codecentric as an attractive employer for women?
Absolutely. The option for flexible working arrangements such as part-time work, remote working and flexible hours enables all colleagues to better balance work and family life. I experience the way people interact at codecentric as very appreciative and respectful, so we have an environment here where women feel safe and supported. The explicit anchoring of the topic "Women in IT" in our company vision demonstrates our deep commitment to diversity, equal opportunities and the creation of an inclusive working environment. We have so many inspiring women at codecentric! Admittedly, we still have some catching up to do when it comes to communicating these positive things externally – and that is something we are working on now.
Your contact person: Olga Spivak