To help employers assess their efforts and navigate the challenges the Indian LGBT+ community faces, the Keshav Suri Foundation and Pride Circle, along with Stonewall UK, launched India’s First Workplace Equality Index (IWEI) in February 2020. IWEI is an Indian version of the Stonewall UK Workplace Equality Index, a leading benchmarking tool for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace.
The IWEI index examines nine (9) key areas and allows corporate India to evaluate where they lie on the inclusion journey and commit to creating a more inclusive workplace for the LGBTQ+ workforce. IWEI 2023 saw 120 organisations participating, a 15% increase from 105 Organisations in IWEI 2022 and a 46% increase from its second edition.
The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group were the proud recipients of India Workplace Equality Index 2023 Gold Employer Award, a testament to the truly diverse and inclusive team that the organisation has cultivated. This prestigious recognition highlights the Group’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Stressing the importance of inclusion and diversity that IWEI is trying to encourage in organisations, Keshav Suri – Executive Director, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group and Founder of Keshav Suri Foundation said, “In a world that’s evolving faster than ever, the call for inclusion isn’t just a fad; it’s the heartbeat of progress. If corporate organisations aim to ride the wave of success, they must be more than followers – they must be pioneers of change. Today it’s not merely a desire; it is a demand from employees, investors, and customers. Show us you genuinely care about us, you care about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This isn’t about ticking boxes for compliance, it’s about forging connections that matter and crafting strategies that work. We’ve witnessed the power of DEI, not as a mere accessory but as the beating heart of an organisation’s mission and policies. and guess what!? When DEI isn’t a checkbox but the core, the business case becomes a force to be reckoned with, and employee engagement skyrockets.
Organisations big or small, it’s high time to ditch the lip service and embrace DEI with gusto. Don’t just talk the talk; walk the walk. Let’s champion Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion because, in the journey to the workplace that mirrors the kaleidoscope of human identity, there’s no room for leaving anyone behind. it’s not just a mission; it’s a revolution. It’s a responsibility where we need to ensure that people are not only recognized but are celebrated for who they are. Let’s lead it.”