Diageo India announces LGBT inclusive wellness policy

Diageo, a multinational company dealing in alcoholic beverages has announced an enhanced wellness policy for their Indian employees on Tuesday. The new policy covers all staff regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

The wellness policy will be effective from July 2020. It provides equal medical and leave benefits to same-sex and live-in partners. Diageo India stated, “With the enhanced policy we are revising and expanding the definition of ‘family’ to include ‘same sex’ and ‘live-in’ partners.” This wellness policy will also provide medical coverage for gender confirmation procedures, sex reassignment surgery, surrogacy and fertility treatments for their employees.

Diageo India Managing Director and CEO said, “At Diageo, championing inclusion and diversity is central to our purpose of celebrating life, every day, everywhere. Our strength lies is in our diversity, with each person bringing their distinct experience, talent and culture, that is integral to our business success.”

Diageo India CHRO Aarif Aziz in a press meet said that in the last five years their global board looks at India office differently as they have a very diverse board. Aziz told PTI that last year, 43% of the company’s new recruitment were women and more than 25% of leadership position in the company is filled by women now.

Diageo India on an agenda to expand has taken the step of inclusiveness. The company wanted to have their focus on hiring which in turn will reflect the inclusive culture in creating an environment that is LGBTQ friendly.

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