Taking their commitment to diversity and inclusion (D&I) further, Star & Disney India have introduced Business Employee Resource Groups (BERGs), new diversity resource groups for women and LGBTQ+ employees, to foster an equal, inclusive, and bias-free workplace. These groups will represent and support the diverse communities that make up the workforce and are open to all employees. Each BERG offers opportunities to network and connects with peers, participate in outreach and mentoring programmes, acquire new skills and enhance leadership capabilities.
Star & Disney India have been promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, with the benefit offerings designed to make the workplace safe, and meet the varied and evolving needs of diverse employees across businesses. Some of the Company’s health and wellness benefits include six+six months of maternity leave, four-week paternity leave, IVF benefits, insurance cover for employees (including LGBTQ+) and their family (dependents).
The Company is committed to constantly innovate and provide a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace where everyone can contribute, grow and help create world-class entertainment.
To mark International Women’s Day, Star & Disney India have launched the #BreakTheLoop campaign, to draw attention to the internal fears arising from socialisation and inspire women to challenge them. Disney+ Hotstar have also created a ‘Female Leads’ section on the app showcasing inspiring stories about women. The unique collection can be accessed on the home screen and offers English and Hindi shows and movies from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Hotstar Specials, and Star Plus as well as regional content from the Star portfolio in Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Marathi, and Kannada.
Amita Maheshwari, head – HR, APAC & India, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, The Walt Disney Company, highlights the fact that Star and Disney India, are deeply committed to the D&I agenda, and their workplace cultures as well as their stories and shows reflect the same. “We are focused on attracting and developing a high-performing workforce at every level and in the process striking a fine gender balance. We aim to enrich the viewing experience through authentic and inclusive stories, while nurturing a culture where everyone is seen, heard, and represented,” explained Maheshwari.
With the introduction of BERGs, Star & Disney India aim to focus on cultivating a culture that thrives on compassion, equality, openness and transparency. The objective is to not only improve the gender balance, but also increase the representation of women in leadership roles to spearhead its next phase of growth.
The #BreakTheLoop campaign focuses on challenging self-limiting beliefs via a series of posters and also celebrates inspiring women employees.
