Diversity, equity and inclusion help strengthen businesses. Companies that are diverse, equitable, and inclusive are better able to respond to challenges.
ITC is committed to enhancing gender diversity and participation of the differently abled in the workforce, and where needed, undertakes supportive actions in the spirit of equity at the workplace.
We believe that diversity in the workplace creates an environment conducive to engagement, alignment, innovation, and high performance. This is achieved by a policy that ensures diversity and non-discrimination across the Company.
Our policies ensure a work environment that is free from any form of discrimination amongst our employees in compensation, training, and employee benefits, based on caste, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ancestry, marital status, or affiliation with a political, religious or union organisation or majority/minority group. ITC is an equal-opportunity employer, and recruitment at ITC is solely based on merit and ability.
ITC's efforts to enhance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are founded on the conviction that a diverse workforce contributes to rich discourse, promotes holistic perspectives, fosters creative solutions, and is integral to serving our customers better while creating value for all stakeholders.
ITC's food manufacturing units have been engaging an increasing number of women on the shop floor. These factories have a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with ergonomically designed equipment to enable women's participation on the shop floor. As a confidence-building exercise, on the day of joining, women employees, as well as their family members, are provided an extensive orientation to the workplace. The factory leadership team engages with them about the Company's policies and practices regarding health and safety, quality processes, and employee benefits. To strengthen morale and confidence, visits are organised to other women-majority ICMLs for training. Institutional support is reinforced through employee welfare amenities such as a creche, round-the-clock access to the health centre, and safe transportation with vehicles equipped with cameras, GPS, and panic buttons.
Several communication forums and participation platforms such as employee committees, town halls, and access to special welfare assistants have been established to address employee concerns and grievances, if any. ICMLs have also been organising well-being initiatives and occupational awareness sessions regarding women's health issues, gender sensitisation, and POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace) workshops. To educate and inspire young minds, students from schools and colleges are invited to visit ICMLs, with employees acting as ambassadors to build a workforce pipeline for future requirements.
Apart from gender, employment of the differently abled is a priority area in our diversity agenda. In several of our Businesses, employees and associates who are differently abled are engaged across the value chain, with the necessary infrastructure support and training. We also have adapted some of our premises with features like Braille signages in elevators, ramps, and accessible facilities. We have directly as well as through partnerships with service providers and agencies, employed 390 differently-abled persons.
ITC's Mangaldeep brand has set up the flagship 'Sixth Sense' panels in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai, to provide livelihood opportunities to visually challenged people by tapping into their keen olfactory abilities to improve its product offerings. Moreover, our social investments programme provides skilling for persons with disabilities. Initially piloted in Bengaluru, the programme has since expanded to Kolkata and Howrah. In addition to technical skills, the programme also offers training in soft skills and confidence building. Post-training, candidates receive job placement assistance as well.
