Tata Steel Recognised as Gold Employer for LGBT+ Inclusion

IWEI 2024 Awards Tata Steel for Fourth Consecutive Year

Key Points:

• Tata Steel wins Gold Employer award for LGBT+ inclusion policies
• Introduces progressive HR benefits for LGBT+ partners and employees
• 4000 CM Schools of Excellence to expand across the state

JAMSHEDPUR – Tata Steel has once again been recognised as a Gold Employer by the India Workplace Equality Index (IWEI) 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of this achievement. This honour highlights the company’s consistent efforts to promote LGBT+ inclusion within its workplace policies, hiring practices, and external communications.

Tata Steel’s commitment to becoming a truly inclusive workplace has been demonstrated through its progressive HR policies. These include equal benefits for LGBT+ partners, covering areas beyond medical support such as honeymoon packages, gender transition assistance, and gender-neutral parental leaves.

Inclusive Policies and Support

Tata Steel has taken significant steps to embed diversity within its organisational culture. The company’s efforts include promoting employee resource groups (ERGs), such as WINGS, which provide a supportive environment for LGBT+ employees. Furthermore, Tata Steel introduced expanded policies in December 2019 to allow same-sex partners to avail HR benefits, including health check-ups, joint housing points, and parental leaves.

The company also offers financial support for gender reassignment surgery and special leave for employees undergoing transition. This inclusivity extends to events, ensuring same-sex partners are treated equally in corporate gatherings and relocation benefits.

Statement from Leadership

Atrayee Sanyal, Vice President of Human Resource Management at Tata Steel, said, “We are honoured to be recognised as a Gold Employer by the India Workplace Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year. Over the years, we have introduced policies and mechanisms to nurture a workplace that celebrates individuality. Diversity and inclusion are not just values, but key drivers of innovation and business success.”

Journey of Diversity and Inclusion

Tata Steel’s Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) journey began with the launch of the MOSAIC group in June 2015. MOSAIC focuses on key pillars such as sensitisation, infrastructure, recruitment, retention, development, and celebrations to foster inclusion of gender-diverse employees, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and affirmative action groups.

IWEI, India’s first comprehensive LGBT+ benchmarking tool, evaluates nine key areas including policies, benefits, allies, senior leadership, and community engagement. In its fifth year, the IWEI assessment saw participation from 150 organisations.