ΟPtimizing divErsity iNclusion WORKplace

Today’s workforce is more diverse than ever— businesses of today have a mix of races, genders, cultures, sexual orientations, and up to five different generations of workers. Yet according to Different by Design study done by Deloitte, only 11% of companies have highly inclusive work environments and only 4% believe that they are good at engaging millennials and other generations at work. The EU Inclusion and Diversity Strategy (I&D) in the workplace, the EU Pillar of Social Rights, the EU 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, and the Sustainable Development Goals indicate that the business case for I&D is stronger than ever, highlighting the need to support and promote the development of more diverse workplaces, to create a fairer and more equal Europe for all. Needs analysis regarding I&D at work showcases the urgent need to upscale the HR trainers and entry and mid-level managers in the subject area, as there is a lack of I&D policies in companies, and the soft skills and knowledge of the aforementioned target groups about what I&D means, how it can boost organizational performance, what are the EU priorities and strategies regarding I&D, as well the SDGs goals related to this topic is insufficient.

The purpose of the OPENWORK project was to foster inclusion and integration in the workplace, by offering innovative learning opportunities to HR trainers and entry and mid-level managers, so as inclusive organizational cultures to be formed, that bring a sense of belonging and value to their workforce, while organisational objectives are being met. The main project aims were: (a) involve and train HR trainers in the field of inclusion and diversity in the workplace; (b) equip entry and mid-level managers with those skills that would allow them to form inclusive teams combating the risk of discrimination and harassment; (c) design innovative methods and solutions of multi-agency, multi-disciplinary cooperation from the combination of existing practices in the fields of inclusion and diversity in the workplace in order organisational cultures to be created, that allow uniqueness and belonging to thrive; (d) improve accessibility and increase take-up of adult education by creating an open-source e-learning platform, hosting online interactive learning resources, available to all the target groups at regional, national and European and international level; (e) promote the EU policies and the EU Platform of Diversity Charters.

A1. Project Management, Quality Assurance, Dissemination & Exploitation The aim of this activity was the overall management of the project, the implementation of quality and impact evaluations, as well as dissemination and exploitation actions. A2. OPENWORK In-service Training MOOC for HR Trainers The purpose of this activity was to create the content of the OPENWORK In-service Training MOOC for the HR Trainers/Adult Educators, for improving their competences in the fields of I&D in the workplace and in non-formal learning and coaching methods and techniques. A3. OPENWORK Managers' Skills Development MOOC The aim of this activity was the development of the training materials of the OPENWORK Managers’ Skills Development MOOC, to support interested entry and mid-level managers to develop those skills that would allow them to form inclusive teams, ensuring that I&D is the norm in their work environments. A4. OPENWORK Virtual Learning Environment-VLE The OPENWORK Virtual Learning Environment created two accessible self-paced Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), containing the training and assessment material developed within the framework of A2 and A3. Furthermore, the delivery of the two training resources were implemented.

A1: Project website, social media pages, logo, leaflet, poster, branded templates, Quality, Impact, Dissemination & Exploitation Plans, project reports. A2: In-service Training MOOC for HR/Adult trainers in the fields of I&D at work and non-formal learning and coaching practices, comprises a total of 25 hours of self-paced learning, available in English, Greek and French, developed as a series of 4 open-source modules. A3: Managers’ Skills Development MOOC for entry and middle-level managers, comprises a total of 25 hours of self-paced learning in the fields of I&D and soft skills, available in English, Greek and French, developed as a series of 4 open-source modules. A4. Virtual Learning Environment hosting the two training courses, compatible with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, developed as an open-source platform, offering the training course under the Creative Commons license - ShareAlike. Implementation of two MOOC deliveries, with 60 HR Trainers and entry and middle-level managers enrolled in the online courses. 7.795 project stakeholders were reached through the dissemination activities.