Inclusion in Action: Spotlighting Diversity is a campaign dedicated to celebrating the rich diversity of Donegal’s workforce and highlighting employers who are actively creating inclusive, welcoming workplaces.
Developed by the Inter Agency Group Supporting Pathways to Work for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities in Donegal, and aligned with the BME Inclusion Strategy 2021–2026, the campaign shines a light on organisations that are leading by example in promoting equality, respect, and opportunity for all.
Through a series of employer spotlights, including this feature with Vertiv – Inishowen’s largest employer – the campaign highlights organisations that are actively embedding inclusion into their workplace culture.
Vertiv demonstrates this through its commitment to diverse hiring practices, employee support initiatives, and creating an environment where all staff feel valued and empowered to contribute.
Operating in a global industry where innovation and collaboration are key, Vertiv recognises that diverse perspectives strengthen problem-solving and drive better outcomes. The company continues to take practical steps to support diversity, including promoting equality in hiring, encouraging employee engagement and creating a culture where differences are not only accepted but celebrated.
As part of the campaign, Vertiv shares insights into its approach through a Q&A feature, offering a closer look at how inclusion is embedded in daily operations and long-term strategy. By opening up this conversation, the company hopes to inspire other employers across the region to take meaningful action towards more inclusive workplaces.
Q1: Can you give an overview of the diversity in your workplace
We have a workforce made up of people from a wide range of backgrounds, both locally and internationally. While many of our employees are from across Ireland, we also have team members from different parts of Europe, Asia, and beyond. That mix brings different perspectives, which is especially valuable in a global company like Vertiv.
Q2: Why is it important to you to have a diverse workplace and what benefits does it bring in the workplace?
From our perspective at Vertiv in Donegal, diversity is important because it directly improves how we think, operate, and deliver results.
At a practical level, having people from different backgrounds means we get a wider range of perspectives when solving problems. In an engineering and manufacturing environment, there’s rarely a single “right” way to approach a challenge. Teams that bring varied experiences tend to question assumptions more, think more creatively, and arrive at stronger, more robust solutions.
It also strengthens innovation. As a global business serving customers in different regions and industries, we need to understand a broad range of needs. A diverse workforce helps us design and deliver products that are relevant beyond one market or mindset.
There are clear cultural benefits too. When diversity is supported by an inclusive environment, it creates a workplace where people feel respected and valued. That has a direct impact on morale, collaboration, and retention. People are more likely to contribute ideas and engage fully when they feel their voice matters.
Q3: Have you had to implement any changes in the workplace because of the growth in diversity?
One of the main areas has been communication. With employees from different nationalities and language backgrounds, we’ve put more emphasis on clear, accessible communication, whether that’s simplifying technical instructions, using visual aids on the production floor, or being mindful of language in meetings.
We’ve also adapted our training and onboarding processes. New starters may come from very different educational or cultural backgrounds, so we’ve made training more structured and supportive, ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed regardless of prior experience.
Another area is workplace policies and awareness. We’ve introduced more training around inclusion, respect, and cultural awareness to help teams work well together and understand different perspectives. This helps prevent misunderstandings and builds a stronger team culture.
On a practical level, we’ve also become more flexible where possible, for example, being mindful of cultural or religious needs around holidays or scheduling.
Q4: Has there been challenges?
Yes – there have been challenges, and it’s important to be honest about that. As our workforce at Vertiv in Donegal has become more diverse, we’ve had to actively manage a few areas.
One of the main challenges has been communication. Differences in language and communication styles can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, particularly in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where clarity is critical. We’ve had to put extra effort into making sure instructions and expectations are clearly understood by everyone.
Cultural differences can also play a role. People may have different approaches to teamwork, feedback, or problem-solving. At times, that can cause friction or hesitation within teams, especially if individuals aren’t used to working in diverse groups
Q5: Do you offer staff training to build awareness on inclusion/anti racism and cultural awareness?
At Vertiv in Donegal, we recognize that building an inclusive workplace doesn’t happen by accident, it requires ongoing awareness and development.
We provide training that covers inclusion, respect in the workplace, and cultural awareness. This is typically part of onboarding for new employees and is also reinforced through internal programs and management training. The focus is on helping people understand different perspectives, communicate effectively, and maintain a respectful working environment. Anti-harassment and equality policies are also a key part of that.
Q6 How has the BME employees contributed to your team and workplace culture?
At Vertiv in Donegal, employees from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) backgrounds have made a very positive contribution to both our team performance and workplace culture.
From a business perspective, they bring different viewpoints and experiences, which strengthens problem-solving and decision-making. In an engineering and manufacturing setting, that variety of thinking often leads to more practical and innovative solutions, particularly when working on complex or global projects.
They’ve also helped shape a more open and inclusive culture. As teams become more diverse, people naturally become more aware of different perspectives and ways of working. That has encouraged better communication, more mutual respect, and a stronger sense of teamwork across the site.
In addition, BME employees contribute to making the workplace more representative of the global customer base we serve. That awareness can influence how we approach collaboration, customer needs, and continuous improvement.
Q7: Have you noticed any unique perspectives or strengths that diversity brings to your business?
Yes, very much so. At Vertiv in Donegal, diversity has brought a number of distinct strengths that you can see in everyday operations.
One of the most noticeable is the variety in problem-solving approaches. People from different cultural and professional backgrounds often look at the same issue in different ways. That can challenge “the way things have always been done” and lead to more efficient or innovative solutions, particularly in engineering and production processes.
We’ve also seen stronger adaptability. Employees who have experience working or living in different environments tend to be more flexible and open to change. That’s valuable in a business like ours where priorities can shift quickly and teams need to respond effectively.
Q8: Would you encourage other employers to embrace diversity in the workplace?
From our experience at Vertiv in Donegal, the benefits are very real. Diverse teams tend to be stronger at problem-solving, more innovative, and better prepared to operate in a global market. It also helps build a more dynamic and resilient workforce.
That said, it’s important to be realistic, diversity on its own isn’t enough. It has to be supported by inclusive practices, clear communication, and fair policies. Without that, the potential benefits can be lost, and challenges like miscommunication or disengagement can arise.
For employers willing to invest time and effort, the return is worth it. You’re not just improving workplace culture—you’re strengthening your business overall. It also makes you more attractive to a wider talent pool, which is increasingly important in competitive industries.
Further information:
The Inter-Agency Group: Supporting Pathways to Work for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities in Donegal is aligned with the BME Inclusion Strategy 2021–2026.
The purpose of the interagency group is to support effective and appropriate pathways to work, including entrepreneurship and self-employment, for women and men from Black and minority ethnic communities in County Donegal.
For more on the this see: https://inishowen.ie/support/migrant-support/
