One of the biggest challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals when seeking employment is discrimination during the hiring process. This discrimination can take many forms, from outright refusal to hire someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity to more subtle forms of bias, such as asking inappropriate questions during job interviews or giving preferential treatment to heterosexual or cisgender candidates.
Even after securing a job, LGBTQIA+ employees may face ongoing discrimination and harassment in the workplace. This can take many forms, including bullying, exclusion from important meetings or opportunities, and even physical violence. Such harassment can have a profound impact on LGBTQIA+ employees, leading to decreased job satisfaction, poor mental health, and decreased productivity.
According to Subhadeep Khan, CHRO, BALCO, these challenges are essential for companies to work towards creating more inclusive workplaces that welcome and support members of the LGBTQIA+ community. In doing so, businesses can reap numerous benefits, including increased employee satisfaction and retention, better diversity of ideas and perspectives, and improved reputation and public perception.
By creating a more inclusive workplace, we can contribute towards the nation's economy while making a positive impact on people's lives.Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s Iconic Aluminium producer and a subsidiary of Vedanta Aluminium, has made significant strides towards inclusivity in recent years. The company has voluntarily included sexual orientation and gender identity in their nondiscrimination policies, offered domestic partner benefits, and enacted other LGBTQIA+-friendly practices.
Additionally, BALCO has implemented policies to ensure that the working environment is free of discrimination towards transgender individuals and has made necessary infrastructure improvements to ensure that new hires are comfortable, welcomed, and have a sense of belonging to the team.
