Employee benefits enable multi-national companies to demonstrate the value of equality for queer people.
Procter & Gamble, the world’s second biggest consumer company, has jumped on the inclusivity platform in India by offering workplace benefits to its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) employees.
The company joins a growing number of Indian corporate biggies like Tata Steel, Infosys, and Accenture who are committing to the United Nations ‘LGBTI Charter for Business’.
P&G, which sells products like Ariel, Vicks, Gillette, and Head & Shoulders, has more than 4,500 employees in the country. Shailesh Jejurikar from India had recently taken over as the chief operating officer (COO) of this multinational giant.
P&G’s new benefits which now extends to partners of LGBT+ employees include medical coverage, including hospitalisation, emergency financial assistance, a flexible subsidy allowance, as well as relocation benefits. The flex subsidy is applicable for anything from paying bank loans to wellness, home renovation, vacations and family celebrations. LGBT+ employees can now avail these benefits for their partners.
“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,” said P.M. Srinivas, vice president & head (HR) - India of P&G. “We will also continue to strengthen our awareness and training programmes that sensitise our people on LGBTQ+ diversity.”
“We hope that this will enable us to strengthen our company’s culture, inspire change and create a positive societal impact.”
The new policy will come into effect from April 1 this year.
LGBT+ inclusion is gathering steam in India, particularly now that ‘Best places to work in’ and similar workplace evaluations place a lot of premium on equality and inclusive policies. The business chamber FICCI, for example, has been bringing out an annual ‘Workplace Equality Index’ since the last couple of years. It has a Taskforce on gender issues with tool kits which member companies can use. “(This) will seed a catalyst of positivity and encourage corporates to be more diverse and inclusive,” said FICCI secretary general Dilip Chenoy.
Procter & Gamble is one of the world’s biggest FMCG corporates.
P&G has a big presence in India and the company has recently thrown its hat into the ring in the discussion about LGBTQ equality.
While same-sex relationships were legalised in India in 2018, much work still remains in terms of eliminating discrimination against LGBTQ people. P&G has announced that it is extending its workplace benefits program to its LGBTQ employees.
P&G has around 4,500 employees across six sites in India. It now joins the likes of Tata Steel, Infosys, and Accenture in ensuring - in line with guidance from the United Nations - that its employee benefits program recognises the needs of LGBTQ employees and does not discriminate on the basis of sexuality.
Employee benefits programs generally include items such as medical coverage, including hospitalisation, emergency financial assistance, a flexible subsidy allowance, and relocation benefits. These benefits are often extended to partners and dependents.
“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,” said P.M. Srinivas, vice president & head (HR) - India of P&G. “We will also continue to strengthen our awareness and training programmes that sensitise our people on LGBTQ+ diversity. We hope that this will enable us to strengthen our company’s culture, inspire change and create a positive societal impact.”
The new policy will come into effect from April.
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