A round-up of Pride month celebrations 2024
In our journey toward fostering a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace we conducted a series of activities centred on ‘Allyship’.
We kickstarted with an ‘Allies for Change’ workshop, that provided invaluable insights into the challenges faced by the transgender community and ways to support them. This workshop was followed up by an ‘Ally Challenge,’ a series of educational micro-challenges, designed to engage our employees with informative resources and thoughtful nudges.
Allyship in focus
Our highlight of this year's Pride Month was the ‘Allyship in focus’ discussion. This two-part event featured a panel discussion with distinguished speakers and some powerful testimonials of our employees. We were glad to have Zahara Fernandes, Managing Director-Operations, Accenture India; Chandrasekhar Duraiswamy, Communications Specialist and EDI Champion; and Vibhav Sanzgiri, Executive Director R&D, HUL share their personal experiences and insights about the importance of allyship in a discussion moderated by Divya Srivastava, Head Rewards & Inclusion, Unilever South Asia.
The second part of the discussion included powerful testimonies from Hariram Govind, Factory Manager at our Kidderpore Factory, and two of our transgender employees, Rik and Tanush, who shared their personal inclusion journeys. These stories underscored the importance of small, consistent actions in driving significant change and highlighted the progress we've made as a company.
Inclusion in action at our Kidderpore factory, Kolkata, West Bengal
HUL’s proUd network meetup
Towards the end of the month, we had a proUd network meetup, another key event bringing together our India proUd members to discuss and reinforce their commitment to celebrating Pride throughout the year. This gathering was not just a social event but a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
Participation in these events was robust, with over 500 employees engaging in various sessions. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with employees expressing that such activities provided a deeper understanding of Unilever’s commitment to LGBTQI+ inclusion and the steps taken to support it. The sessions highlighted the critical role of allyship in our inclusion journey and demonstrated that by sharing lived experiences, we can create a more inclusive and empathetic workplace.
#EquityIs paving the way for LGBTQI+ inclusion
Looking ahead, our commitment to Pride extends beyond the month of June. Our commitment to LGBTQI+ inclusion is reflected in our robust and equitable policies. We have implemented over 20 policies that ensure support for all employees, regardless of their identity. These include gender-neutral parental policies, medical insurance cover for same-sex partners, and a comprehensive gender affirmation support policy that extends beyond medical cover to provide relocation assistance, paid leave, counselling, and transition support. Furthermore, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) partners are sensitised and have undergone queer-affirmative training to support our LGBTQI+ employees effectively.
Earlier this year, in March 2024, we proudly signed the Workplace Pride Declaration of India, reinforcing our dedication to LGBTQI+ inclusion across all our operations. This declaration is a testament to our belief that true progress is achieved through collective action and dedication. It is a promise to uphold the dignity and rights of LGBTQI+ individuals, ensuring they can be their authentic selves at work without fear of discrimination or prejudice.
Queer-iosity Playbook 2.0
We also launched our Queer-iosity Playbook 2.0, an enhanced resource designed to support employees in understanding the challenges faced by LGBTQI+ individuals and creating a more inclusive and safe space for everyone. This playbook integrates both global and local LGBTQI+ nuances, providing a comprehensive guide for fostering inclusivity within the workplace.
Through several interventions and initiatives, we are committed to keeping the momentum going and making every month a celebration of Pride.
Our employees say…
Rik Paul (1 of 2)
“In the past, I had to hide my true identity from society, out of fear of their acceptance. However, HUL has removed all those barriers, accepting each of us for who we are and allowed us to live our identity. We have been granted equal rights, respect and opportunities, regardless of our gender. Our superiors are helpful, and communication is never a problem for us. Being transgender made it difficult for us to acquire accommodations in the past, but now that we became part of HUL, it is very easy to get accommodation facilities.”
Rik Paul Packer, Tea Plant Kolkata Beverages Factory
Aadvik Saha (2 of 2)
“When I initially started working at HUL, I was never worried because the company made sure from that start that equal learning opportunities were presented to all of us. The amenities and accommodations provided to us made us feel like we belonged here. Although some of our coworkers are older than us, they never treat us any differently and embrace us for who we are. Rather, they assist us in every manner. HUL gives us a unique sense of accomplishment and has made me believe that given the right opportunities, people of any gender identity, can excel at all spheres of their career.”
Aadvik Saha Packer, ICD Plant Kolkata Beverages Factory