OREANDA-NEWS. Telenor strives and challenge itself further on improving gender balance and diversity of its workforce. While there is still ground to be covered, recent efforts have yielded positive results. At year-end 2016, Telenor’s Board included five female board members out of a total of eleven board members. The percentage of women senior leaders improved from 22 per cent to 23 per cent. Women leaders in middle management in Telenor’s major business units improved from 29 per cent to 31 per cent during 2016.

The nationality split amongst senior leaders at year end 2016, included, approximately 59 per cent Scandinavians, 13 per cent from rest of Europe, 24 per cent Asians, and 4 per cent others.

During 2016, disability inclusion remained on Telenor’s agenda with 5 business units running the Open Mind Programme, which provides training opportunities to persons with disabilities in the workplace. Integration of skilled personnel with migrant backgrounds also continued in Norway. At year-end 2016, Telenor Group employed 37,000 people across its 13 markets, of which 33 per cent are women.

Telenor will continue its efforts to further develop employee involvement throughout Telenor Group and maintain good labour standards in the company’s operations whilst the business undergoes transformation.

Striving for greater gender diversity on all levels, Telenor has set targets to reach 25 per cent female representation in top management positions in 2016, and 30 per cent by 2020. In addition, the company’s top leaders are measured on how well they strengthen the leadership pipeline for women. Telenor has also reinforced its requirements to ensure balanced representation among candidates for top leader positions.