GE Vernova, the global energy company, has upheld its commitment to LGBTQAI+ inclusion by hosting Pride Walks across seven of its campuses in India — Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Noida, Chennai, Durgapur and Vadodara. More than 1,100 GE Vernova employees, allies and members of the community participated in the walks.
Shilpa Gupta, CTO, India, GE Vernova, believes that “an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued unlocks the full potential of our talent and fosters innovation.”
According to Gupta, “The Pride Walks are a powerful symbol of our commitment to creating a space that celebrates the unique contributions of all individuals. The initiative is an extension of many programmes that are being led by our Pride Alliance to propagate positive change. As we celebrate Pride month, it is truly an honour to witness the collective spirit of our employees as they express solidarity to the LGBTQAI+ community.”
At GE Vernova India, Pride Month is marked by a series of activities aimed at promoting inclusion within the company. The walks serve as forums for open dialogue, sharing case examples, and spreading awareness about LGBTQAI+ diversity, reinforcing GE Vernova’s commitment to inclusivity.
Additionally, in-person and hybrid sensitisation sessions will take place for employees across various sites, aimed at deepening awareness around the LGBTQAI+ and sparking conversations. The company will host members of the LGBTQAI+ community and NGOs, facilitating the sharing of lived experiences and fostering connections within teams.
The Pride Alliance is one of the Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) at GE Vernova that has been working actively to nurture diversity and inclusion. The group raises awareness around LGBTQAI+ issues and provides support and advocacy for creating inclusive work environments. The alliance now has over 250 allies in India who are working to enhance workplace inclusiveness through sensitisation and by raising adequate awareness.
To promote gender positivity and foster an inclusive work environment, the company has implemented several initiatives to provide support for the LGBTQAI+ community. Sensitisation, awareness building, and ally onboarding sessions are regularly conducted in an in-person and virtual format. These sessions cover all employees with a special focus on training senior leadership, people leaders and human resources team. These sessions have also been extended to vendor partners.
The company offers medical insurance for same-sex partners as dependents. The Transgender Employee Protection Policy ensures suitable facilities and amenities. While the gender-neutral washroom is available across GE Vernova facilities.
