In June, Pride comes to life in our offices and in the way we come together. We see colleagues wearing Pride t-shirts, a rainbow flag outside the office, teams getting ready to join the parade, and conversations that continue after a talk or event. It’s always encouraging to see the level of support and enthusiasm across our teams, and the pride people take in showing what matters to them.
Throughout the year, inclusion is visible in small, everyday choices: making space for different voices in a discussion, listening when someone speaks up, and creating an environment where everyone can be themselves. Over time, those moments shape whether a real sense of belonging can grow.
When people feel respected at work, it changes how we work together. We feel safe to speak up earlier, challenge ideas more openly, and build on each other’s thinking. This directly improves the quality of our work. When building solutions and working with customers across different contexts, different perspectives need to be part of the process. Better solutions come from people feeling able to contribute fully.
This does not happen by chance. We place a strong emphasis on leadership. Managers take part in regular training on diversity, equity and inclusion, and our 49/49 ambition keeps us focused on balanced gender representation, while recognizing that not everyone identifies within a traditional gender binary.
Much of the momentum comes from our people. The Rainbow Network, an internal network for LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies, plays an important role in building community, increasing visibility, and supporting colleagues across the organization.
Pride brings these topics into focus in a way that invites conversation. It creates space to talk and learn from each other, while also reminding us that even in societies where equality is often taken for granted, not everyone feels fully able to be themselves at work. That is why everyday inclusion matters.
For me, Pride is both a moment to celebrate and a moment to pause and reflect on the role we as an organization play in shaping a more inclusive working life. At Tieto, we will continue this work through our Pride partnerships, open dialogue, and developing our ways of working. Just as importantly, it carries on in the ordinary days in between.
