IWD2020: Natalie Khounago

Taylor Root is proud to be supporting International Women’s Day 2020. International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Whilst we all know that gender parity within the workplace has improved over the past decades, we all also know that there is still a long way to go.

We interviewed Natalie Khounago, VP & Senior Counsel Global Compliance Implementation at Hilton.What does equality in the workplace look like for you?  Equality in the workplace is not simply a concept, it’s a necessity, a precondition to achieving a great culture and strong business results. It means treating people fairly, regardless of things like their gender, race, disability, religion, nationality, sexual orientation or age. It means people are given equal opportunities, equal pay for equal work and their differences are accepted as an important asset. It means no individual will face professional disadvantages due to their background or personal circumstances.   What have you or your business implemented to achieve positive changes for an equal workforce? Workplace equality and inclusion are top priorities for Hilton. Hilton is very mindful and supportive of creating an environment where all our Team Members can thrive and reach their full potential regardless of their background. As a global business serving guests in 119 countries and territories, diversity is fundamental to our success and is at the core of our Vision, Mission and Values. We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that fully represents different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints. To support this, we have adapted a number of initiatives including:  • Offering extended maternity leave policy and other industry-leading benefits • Implementing Gender balance across our Signature Leadership Programmes• Launching new Flexible working programmes  • Establishing Woman In Leadership programmes across the globe • Creating Women Resource Groups for our corporate Team Members • Providing extensive Diversity and Inclusion training and development resources for our Team Members globally  Hilton has been named a Great Place to Work for Women, which is a great testament to our efforts in this area.   Is there a business that you admire for their positive approach to an equal workforce? If so, who and why?  Rather than a business , I admire Scandinavian countries most in their approach to gender equality and diversity. They have historically led in this area, while the rest of the world has only shed light on this important subject over the last 10-20 years. 

Please note that all commentary and opinions provided are those of the individual, and not the organisation/company they are employed by.