Bhavya Misra is Chief Human Resources Officer at Godrej Capital, where she spearheads strategic initiatives for workforce development and diversity. She champions inclusive workplaces, implementing policies that support LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, and enhancing Godrej Capital’s reputation as an employer of choice.
Bhavya Misra boasts over two decades of experience in fostering organizational excellence and driving inclusive workplace cultures. Before joining Godrej Capital as CHRO, she worked as Director and Head- HR at Lenovo in India, where she shaped impactful HR strategies.
Earlier in her career, Misra made significant contributions at PepsiCo, working as HR Director for Finance, Commercial, and IT across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Her career stint also includes tenure at Bharti Retail – Bharti Walmart, reflecting her deep industry knowledge and strategic HR leadership.
Q- How does Godrej Capital support its LGBTQIA+ employees during Pride Month?
Godrej Capital recognizes that Pride Month is more than just a celebration and the focus on the agenda must not be limited to a month. However, it is a good time to reflect on the progress made towards LGBTQIA+ equality and identify areas for deeper impact.
This year, we partnered with Tweet Foundation, which runs a shelter home for the LGBTQIA+ community. Together, we organized a hiring drive that invited over 140 applications to offer employment opportunities to talented individuals from the community. This initiative not only benefitted Godrej Capital but also had a broader impact across the Godrej Industries Group.
In addition to this, we ensured heightened awareness and exclusive wellness programs through our Corporate Health and Wellness initiative. We conducted a comprehensive series on unconscious biases and inclusion to educate and sensitize our workforce. Recognizing the importance of allyship, we ran an allyship campaign celebrating allies within the company, highlighting their crucial role in fostering an inclusive environment.
Moreover, we shared unique and inspiring stories from our employees through Godrej Industries Group’s dedicated DEI lab, showcasing personal journeys and the positive impact of our inclusive policies. These efforts collectively underscore our commitment to creating a supportive and welcoming workplace for our LGBTQIA+ employees.
Q- What initiatives has Godrej Capital implemented to foster an inclusive workplace culture?
Godrej Capital is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive workplace culture that extends beyond mere compliance and actively supports all employees. We believe in working on both representation and building an inclusive culture that ensures our employees bring their whole selves to work.
Our diverse hiring practices are a cornerstone of this commitment, reflected in our overall diversity rate of approximately 27% significantly higher than the BFSI industry average. This demonstrates our proactive efforts to create a diverse and inclusive workforce.
To support our employees’ diverse needs, we have implemented several employee-friendly policies. These include unlimited trust-based sick leaves, late-night transport facilities, and flexible work schedules, which cater to the unique circumstances of our employees, regardless of their gender orientation.
Moreover, we understand that comprehensive healthcare is crucial for inclusivity, which is why our group health insurance policy includes coverage for medical transition, ensuring that all our LGBTQIA+ employees receive the support they need.
Recognizing the importance of personal comfort and independence, we have all-gender restrooms alongside traditional men’s and women’s restrooms. This provides everyone with the choice and freedom to use the facilities they feel most comfortable with, promoting a more inclusive environment.
Our commitment to inclusivity is further reinforced through regular training and awareness programs. These sessions are designed to educate employees about unconscious biases and promote a culture of respect and understanding.
Additionally, our Corporate Health and Wellness initiative offers exclusive wellness programs that address the specific needs of our diverse workforce.
Q- Can you share some success stories of LGBTQIA+ inclusion within your company?
Godrej Capital takes pride in its numerous success stories of LGBTQIA+ inclusion. One of our most inspiring stories involves a transgender employee who transitioned while working with us. With the full support of our company, he completed his transition and is now thriving in his role as his authentic self.
This journey not only highlights our commitment to inclusivity but also underscores the supportive environment we strive to create. Many of our employees have felt comfortable coming out for the first time at the workplace, thanks to the inclusive culture we foster at Godrej.
Our LGBTQIA+ employees hold critical roles and consistently perform at a high level, as evidenced by the numerous awards they have received for their outstanding contributions and achievements. These accolades reflect the talent and dedication within our LGBTQIA+ community and reinforce our belief that diversity drives success.
These stories are a testament to Godrej Capital’s inclusive culture, where every individual is valued and empowered to reach their full potential. We remain dedicated to fostering an environment where all employees, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, thrive at the workplace.
Q- How does Godrej Capital ensure ongoing support for LGBTQIA+ employees beyond Pride Month?
At Godrej Capital, our commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion extends well beyond Pride Month through continuous support and long-term initiatives. We ensure LGBTQIA+ employees are treated fairly across different roles and continue our hiring efforts through the year.
We conduct regular DEI training programs, including specific modules on LGBTQIA+ issues, to raise awareness and address unconscious biases, fostering a culture of inclusivity throughout the year. Our policies are regularly reviewed and updated to remain relevant and supportive, responding to the evolving needs of our employees and the broader social context.
Additionally, mentorship programs pair LGBTQIA+ employees with allies and senior leaders, offering guidance and support for career development. This approach aids in personal and professional growth and strengthens our inclusive workplace culture.
Q- What challenges have you faced in promoting diversity and inclusion, and how have you overcome them?
Promoting diversity and inclusion comes with its own set of challenges, including overcoming unconscious biases and ensuring consistent support from all levels of the organization. Unconscious bias can manifest in subtle ways, such as favoring candidates from similar backgrounds during recruitment or using gendered language in the workplace.
To address this challenge, we’ve adopted a multi-pronged approach. We conduct regular sensitization training sessions for our managers and employees. These sessions raise awareness about unconscious bias and equip employees with the tools to identify and challenge their own biases.
Additionally, we foster a culture of open communication where employees feel comfortable reporting any incidents of bias or discrimination.
Q- How do you involve allies in your LGBTQIA+ initiatives?
At Godrej Capital, allyship for LGBTQIA+ causes is inspired from the top down, where leaders lead by example. Allies throughout our organization actively champion inclusivity, organizing events and initiatives to advance LGBTQIA+ rights and representation.
They create spaces for open dialogue and collaboration, fostering a supportive environment where everyone feels respected and valued. This collective dedication drives meaningful actions that contribute to our inclusive workplace culture, encouraging others to join in supporting LGBTQIA+ inclusion efforts.
Through their commitment, allyship remains integral to our company’s values, ensuring ongoing support and opportunities for LGBTQIA+ employees to thrive. We are committed to upholding our values of respect and inclusion and take proactive measures to ensure all employees adhere to these principles.
Q- What advice would you give to other companies looking to enhance their LGBTQIA+ inclusion efforts?
To enhance LGBTQIA+ inclusion efforts, companies should begin with strong leadership commitment. Leaders must actively cultivate an inclusive culture, setting examples through visible support and advocacy. Further, education is paramount; comprehensive training on LGBTQIA+ issues and unconscious biases is essential to foster a respectful environment. Learning and using the appropriate language is also crucial.
Mainly, inclusivity must extend beyond intent to tangible policy changes and concrete action. This includes offering comprehensive healthcare benefits and establishing gender-neutral facilities to effectively support diverse needs. Moreover, promoting allyship is equally crucial. Encouraging employees to participate in awareness campaigns and training sessions fosters a supportive network where allies can advocate for LGBTQIA+ colleagues.
Lastly, continuous assessment and feedback are vital. Regularly measuring progress and seeking input from LGBTQIA+ employees ensure that inclusion initiatives evolve and improve over time.
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