Estera Anghelescu, Kaufland: With the conflict in the region, feelings such as social responsibility, intra-help and empathy have taken on new proportions

Kaufland is keeping its ED&I projects active, aiming to truly make a difference for the colleagues who are affected by the current situation in the region, Estera Anghelescu, Recruiting & Employer Branding Director, Kaufland Romania & Moldova, exclusively said for the Romanian Diversity Chamber of Commerce.

What does ED&I mean for your company and how does it translate into your approach to the Romanian/Eastern European region?

Equality, diversity and inclusion underpin our values and encapsulate our entire perception as an employer, representing concepts that we never stray from in the processes we carry out at company level. Thus, we create with our colleagues across the country an inclusive working environment, where everyone has the chance to show their skills and perform at the highest level, developing with us a career, not just a job. Moreover, through the ACCES program, the balancing of leadership roles between women and men and the successful integration of our foreign colleagues at all levels of the company, we are able to form a diverse and complex team which, through the work of each individual, achieves the goals it has set itself.

How has the conflict in the region affected ED&I developments?

The current context in the region affects us and we are concerned about it. Although the development of equality, diversity and inclusion within Kaufland has not been affected, we have noticed that feelings such as social responsibility, intra-help and empathy have taken on new proportions for both our colleagues and us overall, as an organisation. Going forward, we are keeping our ED&I projects active, and we aim to align them, truly making a difference in the communities hosting us, and for all our colleagues who are affected by the current situation in our region.

What are your priorities in the short and mid-term for ED&I in the region and how will you implement these initiatives?

As one of Romania’s leading retailers, we have tried as much as possible to play an active part in supporting those affected by the conflict in the region. Through social activities and active community involvement, we have sought to help and stay close to Ukrainian citizens who have fled the danger. In addition to social activities such as providing hot meals and support for refugee centers, we also took a decision from the employer’s point of view, announcing the creation of 300 jobs for refugees who arrived in Romania. In an unpleasant context, our goal has been to remain close to those who need help, and the diversity and empathy within the team have been strengthened. We plan to continue our ongoing support for all the communities we are part of, and to show that through our actions we can truly make a difference.

Kaufland is a German hypermarket chain, part of the Schwarz Gruppe. It operates over 1,400 stores in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Moldova. Kaufland is a Founding Corporate Member of the Romanian Diversity Chamber of Commerce. Their Recruiting & Employer Branding Director, Estera Anghelescu, is a Board Member of the RDCC.