Inclusion, Diversity, Respect are some of the keywords which are abuzz in the HR domain. They signify the direction in which the future of the workforce will be. In recent years, the LGBTQ movement has taken the world by storm. The movement is forcing corporates to take steps towards a holistic environment for all irrespective of their personal choices.
‘Tata’ name has been one of the pioneers when it comes to giving direction to social change. In 2019 it was Tata Steel that had unveiled benefits for LGBTQ employees. Now, it is another Tata company that is taking steps in the same direction.
Tata Consumer Products Ltd announces insurance benefits to partners of LGBTQ employees
According to a recent press note released by Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL), it has extended its group health insurance policy to cover the partners of its employees belonging to the LGBTQ community. The company is the maker of fast-moving consumer goods such as Tata Tea, Tata Salt, Tetley as well. The move is in line with the company’s ongoing commitment to promote a more inclusive and diverse workplace.
“The company’s earlier policy which provided medical insurance coverage to existing employees will now allow LGBTQ employees’ partners to avail medical cover too,” the press note read. It should be noted that the new move will be effective from December 1, 2021. At present, TCPL has 2,900 employees globally, with over 2,000 employees in India alone.
Company CHRO is confident that this move will foster better engagement
“Tata Consumer Products has always believed in celebrating diversity among our employees and to that effect has launched many HR initiatives to strengthen diversity and inclusion. We are happy to extend medical insurance cover to partners of our LGBTQ employees and remain confident that this will foster better engagement, keeping our people at the center of our business. A progressive work culture that respects and embraces differences among people will always bring out the best in employees, thereby enabling them to perform better,” said, Amit Chincholikar, Global CHRO, Tata Consumer Products while speaking about the announcement.
It should be noted that TCPL is the second company from the Tata Group to introduce an inclusive HR policy for its LGBTQ employees. In 2019 Tata Steel had introduced a new HR policy for its LGBTQ employees under which they could disclose the identity of their partners and avail HR benefits offered by the company. Tata Steel was the first Indian company to introduce such a policy. Currently, General Electric, SAP Labs, Johnson & Johnson also offer inclusive policies for their LGBTQ employees in India.
Will rest of the India Inc. will follow the suit? Only time will tell.