Procter & Gamble, the world’s second biggest consumer company, has jumped on the inclusivity platform in India by offering workplace benefits to its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) employees.
The company joins a growing number of Indian corporate biggies like Tata Steel, Infosys, and Accenture who are committing to the United Nations ‘LGBTI Charter for Business’.
P&G, which sells products like Ariel, Vicks, Gillette, and Head & Shoulders, has more than 4,500 employees in the country. Shailesh Jejurikar from India had recently taken over as the chief operating officer (COO) of this multinational giant.
P&G’s new benefits which now extends to partners of LGBT+ employees include medical coverage, including hospitalisation, emergency financial assistance, a flexible subsidy allowance, as well as relocation benefits. The flex subsidy is applicable for anything from paying bank loans to wellness, home renovation, vacations and family celebrations. LGBT+ employees can now avail these benefits for their partners.
“Our goal is to create a fully inclusive workplace where our employees feel included and are able to bring their authentic selves to work every day,” said P.M. Srinivas, vice president & head (HR) - India of P&G. “We will also continue to strengthen our awareness and training programmes that sensitise our people on LGBTQ+ diversity.”
“We hope that this will enable us to strengthen our company’s culture, inspire change and create a positive societal impact.”
The new policy will come into effect from April 1 this year.
LGBT+ inclusion is gathering steam in India, particularly now that ‘Best places to work in’ and similar workplace evaluations place a lot of premium on equality and inclusive policies. The business chamber FICCI, for example, has been bringing out an annual ‘Workplace Equality Index’ since the last couple of years. It has a Taskforce on gender issues with tool kits which member companies can use. “(This) will seed a catalyst of positivity and encourage corporates to be more diverse and inclusive,” said FICCI secretary general Dilip Chenoy.
