Mumbai: While conversations around LGBTQIA+ inclusion
have gained momentum in corporate India, manufacturing workplaces, one of the
country's largest sources of employment—have largely remained absent from the
discussion. To bridge
this gap, Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) unveiled the Pride in
Manufacturing, a unique practical toolkit designed to help organizations build
safer, more equitable and inclusive manufacturing workplaces for LGBTQIA+
talent.
The toolkit was launched simultaneously at Godrej One, the
company's headquarters in Mumbai, by Sudhir Sitapati, CEO & MD, Godrej
Consumer Products, and at the company's manufacturing facility in Tamil
Nadu by Vaibhav Ram, Global Head – HR, Godrej Consumer Products. The
toolkit reflects GCPL's commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces and
strengthening India's manufacturing workforce by enabling every individual to
participate, contribute and thrive.
Developed in partnership with Transformis, a leading
Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) consulting firm, and Antara Roy Chowdhury, a
student at Ashoka University, Sonipat; ‘Pride in Manufacturing’ toolkit
addresses a critical gap in workplace inclusion. While an estimated 45.4
million people in India identify as LGBTQIA+, workplace inclusion remains a
challenge, with 34% citing personal safety concerns as a barrier to being open
about their identity at work. Combining legal context, industry insights,
inclusive workplace practices and real-world scenarios, the toolkit equips
leaders, managers and teams with actionable guidance to foster cultures of
dignity, respect and belonging while enabling more inclusive and future-ready
manufacturing workplaces.
Manufacturing remains one of India's largest employment
sectors, yet conversations around LGBTQIA+ inclusion have often been
concentrated in corporate environments. Recognizing the unique operational and
cultural realities of manufacturing workplaces, the toolkit offers actionable
recommendations on inclusive hiring, workplace infrastructure, employee
sensitization, leadership accountability and creating environments where
diverse talent can succeed and grow.
Speaking on the unveiling of the toolkit, Sudhir Sitapati, MD & CEO, Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL), said, "Inclusion, for us, has never been a program or a moment in time - it is a belief system. A belief rooted in a simple, unwavering idea: that every individual deserves dignity, respect, and the freedom to exercise their fundamental rights. 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."
Vaibhav Ram, Global Head – Human Resources, Godrej Consumer
Products Limited (GCPL), said, "Manufacturing is one of India's key growth engines,
and at GCPL, we have been on a deliberate journey to make our manufacturing
operations more inclusive. 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 organizations implement or smoothen their inclusion journey in manufacturing.”
The launch is part of GCPL's ongoing commitment to advancing
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion across its operations and strengthening
workplace cultures where every individual can thrive.
Link to ‘Pride in Manufacturing’ Toolkit: https://www.godrejdeilab.com/storage/pdfs/dei-directory/01KST04HB6FSQW8CX5H2SPVNC9.pdf