Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) has unveiled ‘Pride in Manufacturing’, a practical toolkit aimed at helping organisations build more inclusive manufacturing workplaces for LGBTQIA+ employees.
The toolkit was launched simultaneously at the company’s headquarters, Godrej One in Mumbai, and at its manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. The initiative seeks to address a long-standing gap in diversity and inclusion conversations, which have often focused on corporate offices while overlooking manufacturing environments—one of India’s largest sources of employment.
Developed in collaboration with an inclusion and diversity consulting firm, and a university student, the toolkit provides guidance on creating workplaces where LGBTQIA+ employees can work with dignity and a sense of belonging. It combines legal context, workplace scenarios and practical recommendations to support organisations in strengthening their inclusion efforts.
The toolkit offers actionable insights on areas such as inclusive hiring practices, workplace infrastructure, employee sensitisation, leadership accountability and building cultures that enable diverse talent to succeed. It has been designed keeping in mind the distinct operational realities and cultural dynamics of manufacturing workplaces.
According to GCPL, the initiative comes at a time when conversations around LGBTQIA+ representation in the workforce are gaining momentum, yet challenges remain. Safety concerns and fear of discrimination continue to prevent many employees from openly expressing their identities at work.
Speaking on the launch, Sudhir Sitapati, MD & CEO, Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL), said, “This toolkit is a step in that direction. It brings together practical guidance, workplace scenarios, legal context, and everyday actions to help leaders, managers, and teams build safer and more inclusive manufacturing environments for LGBTQIA+ talent. Inclusion is ultimately shaped in small, consistent choices – in how we design our workplaces, how we make decisions, and how we treat one another.”
According to Vaibhav Ram, global head – human resources, Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL), said, “Currently, our LGBTIQA+ representation stands at 3% in the Chengalpattu plant with ongoing efforts to strengthen inclusion, demonstrating what is possible when inclusion is backed by intent and action. The Pride in Manufacturing toolkit is a culmination of the learnings and experiences we have gathered along this journey, which we hope will enable other organisations implement or smoothen their inclusion journey in manufacturing.”
As per the company, the launch forms part of its broader commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion across its operations and fostering workplace cultures where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
