Reaching your full potential at Tesco

 

Meet Software Development Engineer, Abdallah, who’s proud to work for an organisation that’s committed to diversity and inclusion. And discover what he values about being surrounded by people from different backgrounds.

 

“I’m originally from Damascus, Syria. I moved to Hungary when I was given a scholarship to study a master’s degree in structural engineering about six years ago. Since then, I’ve met some great friends who’ve included me in traditional Hungarian events and made me feel very welcome. I’ve faced some challenges and had encounters with people who are less open-minded, but my experience overall has been positive in Hungary.

I’ve found Budapest to be very diverse. I’ve met people from all over the world – parts I didn’t even know existed – and come to appreciate different cultures. Diversity is so important because it allows you to learn from different perspectives. I know I wouldn’t have been exposed to people from so many different backgrounds in Syria, so coming here was a great choice for me.

As well as having a great reputation, the fact that Tesco is such a multinational organisation was a big draw when deciding to work here. Plus, there’s fantastic technology behind our stores and it’s been a great advancement for my career. My Product Cost, the team I work in, creates and maintains the application that supports negotiation with our suppliers and buyers. It’s important because we want to be fair to our suppliers while offering the best prices possible to our customers.

Joining Tesco has given me the chance to meet and work with people from many different cultures. Whether it’s different backgrounds, traditions, or family structures, there’s so much to learn from diverse colleagues. And my team is one of the most culturally diverse I’ve ever worked in. I have colleagues from India, Ukraine, Hungary and the UK. Solving problems becomes even more interesting when diverse perspectives come together.

There’s an authentic commitment on D&I here, not only in theory, but in real life. A great example of this was during the recruitment process. As a third-country national, there were some difficulties because of the regulations of hiring a non-European person. But the recruiters persevered because they believe in building a diverse organisation. And while there are policies that everyone must abide by, from what I’ve seen, Tesco colleagues all share the same values, so it’s a naturally inclusive place to work. The inclusive environment Tesco has built means I feel safe to be my true self.

And D&I is promoted across all levels of the organisation too. There’s diversity in our senior leadership teams which is important to me because I feel that I can grow here, both personally and professionally. There’s so much talent to be found when you actively seek colleagues from multiple cultures. Diversity is a unique asset, and Tesco recognises that. A diverse workforce is positive for colleagues, customers, and the business growth.

Diverse people are celebrated here. We’re valued for our individuality and unique contribution. And there are so many opportunities for personal and professional growth because of that. It wasn’t just my skills and experience that got me a job here. Tesco values my cultural differences and what they bring to the business. So if you’re looking for a place that will support you to reach your full potential, discover a career at Tesco.”

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