Embracing Diversity in the Workplace

The Republic Group currently operates in 8 countries from Suriname on the South American continent to Ghana on the African continent. As we grow towards becoming a more global organisation that is inclusive and reflective of the diversity in our society, we must ensure that we embrace the change in our professional landscape.

Over a century ago women were not allowed to vote, far less work in the banking sector in many parts of the western world. Today, we are represented in all tiers and sectors, and although the glass ceiling still exists in companies throughout the Caribbean, we have seen women take up the challenge to become leaders of countries and companies at home and abroad. Now, not only can we cast our vote but we also stand for election as Prime Ministers and Presidents.

Similarly global warming, economic challenges and political upheavals have seen new waves of migration from Syria, Lebanon, China, Africa, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela come to our shores seeking refuge and a new life. These can be positives for our country, once we have the systems in place to regulate, while we simultaneously embrace and build upon the new ideas, talents and resources these new migrants bring.

A younger generation of tech-savvy millennials who have their own culture of operating and distilling information has also entered the workforce. Many may have never seen a fax machine let alone a typewriter.

The legacy banks have also been facing changes with other online financial institutions eager to enter the marketspace, from social media entities to branch-less financing agencies.

Our mission is to embrace these changes and see them as opportunities that need to be first, understood in an historical context, then managed and finally, included into our strategic vision of excellence in customer service, risk management, people leadership and operating efficiency.

Over the past decade, Republic Bank’s expansion has been propelled and underpinned by a vision of providing excellence in banking services and developing the communities in which we operate. Our priority before entering any new market, be it Guyana or Ghana, is to understand the culture of the people and the place, and to enter into honest, engaged conversations to examine the best way forward for all concerned. Whether there are barriers of language or different ways of learning, communication and listening are key to our continued progress, as well as continuous assessment. Change may be scary to some but as a leading financial institution with over 5,500 employees in 8 countries we understand the power of embracing diversity.