The recently-launched India Workplace Equality Index (IWEI), is the country’s first benchmarking study that measures efforts put in by organisations towards including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees in their workforces. In its inaugural list of Top Employer for LGBT+ inclusion, Tata Steel has found a place amongst 18 organisations selected in the ‘silver’ category. It has been recognised for its commitment to working towards ensuring the equality of LGBT+ community at the workplace.
The first ever list of its kind to be brought out in the country, features 52 organisations, who have all, by participating, committed to supporting the cause of the LGBT+ people and working for their equality at work.
One of the reasons why Tata Steel scored well was because it has launched a new HR policy last year that enables employees from the LGBTQ+ community to avail all HR benefits permissible under the law for same-sex partners living with them, such as coverage for child care leave, leave for parents of new-borns, medical benefits, joint house points, employee assistance initiatives, domestic travel policy, health check-ups, transfer and relocation benefits, honeymoon package and more.
Two years ago, Tata Steel had also launched WINGS, an LGBTQ+ employee resource group. Taking its diversity agenda forward, the Company has also set itself a target of achieving 20 per cent women officers in the workforce by 2025.
About five years back, it had launched a diversity group called MOSAIC, which facilitates diversity in terms of hiring and including members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as persons with disabilities (PWDs). This group works towards sensitising staff, strengthening the infrastructure, recruiting diverse people, helping to retain and develop them and also celebrating their presence and contributions.
Tata Steel believes that by following the diversity and inclusion path, it has been able to attract the best talent and leverage a wider talent pool, even while enhancing the organisation’s culture and business outcomes.
IWEI has recognised Tata Steel’s efforts to respect each individual’s uniqueness so as to ensure a diverse and inclusive workplace.
