As a global conglomerate with a 125-year history, the Godrej Group has long understood that sustained success is rooted in its people. Today, the focus on employee wellbeing and diversity at work is not just an HR function; it’s a foundational culture embedded in the company’s “Godrej Way.”
This philosophy ensures a deeply humanistic experience for every team member. It moves beyond standard compliance to actively create a supportive and inclusive workplace.
Holistic Wellbeing: More Than Physical Health
Godrej views wellbeing holistically. It includes mental, emotional, and financial security. Employees can bring their “Whole Self” to the workplace.
Focus on Mental and Emotional Health
The company actively promotes mental wellness, recognizing the pressures of modern professional life.
- Proactive Support: They have tie-ups with professional healthcare providers for tele-consultation and counselling services.
- Awareness Initiatives: Programs like ‘Empower Her’ conduct awareness drives on critical health issues, including mental well-being, PCOS, and gender transitioning, integrating health into the diversity agenda.
- Mandatory Rest: Policies encourage team members to maintain work-life balance, including ‘A day to myself’-a mandatory monthly day off to recharge. Other rules regulate work hours and encourage “silent weekends.”
Progressive Policies for Family Care
The culture of care is evident in their pioneering family support policies, many of which predate regulatory requirements.
- Extended paid maternity leave was offered well before it became law.
- The Adoption Leave is gender-neutral, focusing on the primary caregiver, regardless of gender.
- The Caregiver Travel policy permits a female employee to bring a caregiver and child (up to one year old) on necessary work travel.
- They offer hospitalisation coverage extended to domestic partners of employees, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as a Core Strategy
Godrej’s commitment to DEI is a deliberate leadership strategy, designed to fuel innovation and competitiveness. The company aims for an intersectional approach, going beyond gender to include LGBTQIA+ people and persons with disabilities (PwD).
Targeted Hiring and Development
Representation targets are set and tracked by senior leadership every quarter, reinforcing accountability.
- Affirmative Hiring: Programs like Aarambh focus on increasing gender representation in traditionally male-dominated roles, such as Sales.
- Manufacturing Inclusion: Women GeT is a dedicated hiring program for women engineering graduates in manufacturing units, where talent shortage is common.
- LGBTQIA+ Inclusion: Policies are consciously gender-neutral. The company partners with specialized consultants and NGOs like Pride Circle for hiring, ensuring respectful and confidential integration into the workplace.
Building an Inclusive Infrastructure
Inclusion is built into the physical environment and policies to guarantee a welcoming experience.
- Model Sites: New greenfield projects are committed to a gender-balanced workforce across all levels, including a commitment to hire at least 5% of employees from the PwD and LGBTIQA+ community.
- Gender Affirmation Policy: This policy supports team members undergoing gender transition, including reimbursements for non-cosmetic surgeries and hormone replacement therapy.
- Zero Tolerance: An Equal Opportunity Policy and a Gender-neutral Anti-sexual Harassment Policy protect the rights of all team members.
Measuring Success: Workplace Surveys and Certification
Godrej uses both internal and external assessments to measure the impact of its people-first culture. This continuous feedback loop drives improvement and strengthens the employer branding.
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Data Focus: The company aims for the top quartile in internal workplace surveys. Feedback drives action.
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People Experience Centre: This central hub uses HR tech to standardize and improve the employee onboarding and service experience.
Leadership in Workplaces: Setting the Standard
Godrej leadership is open and value-based. The “Godrej Way” has six values: Trust, Own it, Be Bold, Show Respect, Be Humble, and Create Delight.
This values-led approach builds mutual respect and strengthens employer branding.
Meritocracy and strong development programs attract top talent.
By prioritizing wellbeing and diversity at work, Godrej proves that commercial success and social responsibility can thrive together. Their practices offer a blueprint for an amazing workplace.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, readers should verify information and seek professional advice as needed.
