Procter & Gamble (P&G) has announced that the partners of the LGBTQ+ employees at P&G, will also enjoy the medical benefits offered by the Company, including hospitalisation coverage.
Other benefits part of the policy are –
Emergency financial assistance – Partners of LGBTQ+ employees will be entitled to emergency financial assistance given by P&G India, where immediate financial help is offered to the employees in case of a natural calamity, death of an immediate family member or hospitalisation of an immediate family member to cover expenses not covered in the Company’s medical policy.
Flex subsidy allowance – The Company offers a fixed allowance or subsidy to meet the employees’ personal and family needs. This includes interest payments for bank loans, allowance for medical care, childcare, wellness, productivity tools, home renovation, personal vacation and travel, personal development for employees and family, and family celebrations. Now, partners of LGBTQ+ employees will also be eligible for such allowances at P&G India.
Relocation benefits – The Company will extend financial support and transfer related assistance arising out of a company-initiated relocation to partners of LGBTQ+ employees.
The policy will come into effect from 01 April, 2022.
The internal affinity group at P&G called GABLE, short for Gay, Ally, Bisexual, Lesbian, and Transgender Employees, works at a global level and is committed to making P&G an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ employees so that they can be themselves at the workplace without fearing any bias. GABLE’s India network has also been working to train employees on inclusive behaviours, role modelling inclusion and showing support to the LGBTQ+ community. In the past six months, 70 per cent of managers have been trained and sensitised by GABLE.
“At P&G, 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,” says PM Srinivas, VP & head-HR, Indian Sub-Continent, P&G.
In keeping with this, the Company has shaped its comprehensive benefits to a “fully inclusive and equality-based programme, which extends to partners of LGBTQ+ employees”, added Srinivas.
He also reveals that “this latest initiative builds on top of our ‘Share the Care’ inclusive parental leave policy that we launched last year”.
The Company intends to continue to strengthen its awareness and training programmes that sensitise its people on LGBTQ+ diversity. Srinivas hopes that “this will enable us to strengthen our company’s culture, inspire change and create a positive societal impact”.
‘Pride Podcasts’ is yet another initiative by P&G that invites leaders from within P&G globally and external advocates to share their journeys, educate the workforce, and also help address myths about LGBTQ+. In 2021 the company organised its first ever virtual pride event titled ‘PrideON’ to educate and celebrate the progress made on LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion in the workplace.
