Novartis in Slovenia recognized also in the field of LGBT inclusion
- Novartis in Slovenia confirms its efforts in the field of diversity and inclusion with the LGBT-Friendly Company certificate.
- The LGBT-friendly certificate is awarded by the Ljubljana City Municipality to organizations that are committed to co-creating an inclusive environment for employees, raising awareness of the associates and fostering the fundamental human rights of LGBT people.
- Novartis supports the culture of diversity and inclusion of all employees, both in the workplace and in the wider environment, where it emphasizes human rights and equity.
Novartis in Slovenia has obtained the LGBT Friendly Company certificate, which is awarded by the Ljubljana City Municipality. Novartis has long nurtured a culture of diversity and inclusion, which is one of the company’s core values, and strives to ensure that every employee, regardless of gender, gender identity or orientation or any other personal circumstance, is true to himself/herself and without fear of discrimination.
Obtaining the LGBT Friendly Company certificate is a confirmation and upgrading of our ongoing efforts in this field. “Diversity and inclusion are two of the many values and ethical principles that guide us in our daily work and are also embedded in our Code of Ethics. By obtaining the LGBT-friendly certificate, we are committed to continuing to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion at all levels of the organization. This was also one of the areas of evaluation that we successfully passed, in the recently obtained international certificate “Top Employer” for the best employer, of which we are very proud,” said Robert Ljoljo, President of the Board of Management of Lek and Novartis Country President Slovenia.
Novartis in Slovenia fulfills the main commitments of the LGBT-friendly community and ensures in the workplace: an understanding of the fundamental human rights of LGBT people, an inclusive environment for LGBT associates, raising awareness of the associates in providing offers and services for LGBT users and sensitivity to identifying violations of the rights of LGBT people in the work and user environment. »Obtaining the certificate is a big step towards raising community awareness of diversity inside and outside the company. A rainbow sticker at the entrance to the company and the certificate obtained will remind employees that they have the power to speak, be heard and that they are safe from discrimination in the workplace. At the same time, it is also a call to other companies to follow us by fostering employee inclusion,” points out Miha Hribar, LGBT Friendly Project Manager at Novartis in Slovenia, of the importance of the certificate.
In 2018 Novartis became the first global pharmaceutical company to pledge support for the United Nations Standards of Conduct for Business, tackling discrimination against LGBTI+ people, and Novartis in Slovenia celebrated a month of pride by raising the rainbow flag at all its sites last June. “At Novartis, we strive every day, both globally and nationally, to create an inclusive environment in which we value uniqueness, respect diversity and encourage employees to be the best version of themselves. I am proud to work in a company that is aware that the foundation for quality and innovative work at the highest level is a work environment in which the associates feel accepted,” added Tanja Sinigoj, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Novartis in Slovenia, upon receiving the certificate.
Novartis is the leading provider of medicines in Slovenia, where Lek d.d., Novartis Pharma Services Inc., Podružnica v Sloveniji and Sandoz d.d., operate. Together we are building and maintaining the reputation of a dynamic, ethical, and trusted pharmaceutical company. Lek develops, manufactures, and markets effective, safe, and high quality medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients. With our knowledge, quality, and experience we have gained an important role in Novartis' organizational structure, especially in the Novartis Technical Operations, Global Drug Development, Novartis Business Services, and the generic division Sandoz. We are the leading Sandoz development center, and one of the key development sites for technologically complex projects. We invest a great deal in the development, education, and training of our employees. Over the last nine years, the company has created more than 3,350 new job opportunities, making us one of the biggest employers in Slovenia. Novartis invested in Slovenia more than EUR 2.7 billion since 2003.
About Sandoz
Sandoz, a Novartis division, is a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars. Our purpose is to pioneer access for patients by developing and commercializing novel, affordable approaches that address unmet medical needs. Our ambition is to be the world’s leading and most valued generics company. Our broad portfolio of high-quality medicines, covering all major therapeutic areas, accounted for 2020 sales of USD 9.6 billion. Sandoz is headquartered in Holzkirchen, in Germany’s Greater Munich area.
Sandoz is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @SandozGlobal at http://twitter.com/Sandoz_Global.
About Novartis
Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach nearly 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 110,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at www.novartis.com.
This press release contains statements and conclusions based on projections of Lek’s future business operations. These estimates are derived from the best information currently available. In case these forecasts prove unreliable, the actual results could prove different from those projected.
For additional information contact:
Gregor Makuc
Communications & External Engagement
Lek Pharmaceuticals d. d.
Phone: +386 1 580 22 43
gregor.makuc@novartis.com
