LEADING WITH A HUMAN TOUCH: FUTURE GENERALI INDIA INSURANCE'S LGBTQIA+ FRIENDLY POLICIES ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

A simple decision can have a far-reaching impact. The decision to make Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) a strategic priority not only changed the DNA of Future Generali India Insurance (FGII) but also sent a positive message about equal rights to society at large. Armed with the philosophy of leading with a human touch, FGII is one of the few organizations to have embraced inclusivity, not only as an employer but also as an insurer. 

We started by launching a DEI statement, creating a DEI Core Committee, and establishing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to address three cohorts—Women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and the specially-abled. To achieve the organization’s DEI goals, we employed a three-pronged approach—educate, advocate, and celebrate.

A loud and proud ally to the LGBTQIA+ community
In 2022, our empathetic approach coupled with the agenda of inclusivity led us to sign up as allies to the LGBTQIA+ community. We recognized that the LGBTQIA+ community in India—with a population of around 108 million (as per 2018 estimates)—has faced multiple challenges and struggled to find equal rights and acceptance in society for several decades. In a sign of changing times, we also noticed an increasing acceptance of individual identities, which spurred us to spearhead the change we wanted to see in the insurance industry. 

#StandWithPride
Since change begins at home, we joined the LGBTQIA+ community with our campaign #StandWithPride. For Pride Month (June 2022), a flash mob and Pride Parade were organized at FGII office premises, which saw participation from well-known LGBTQIA+ icons Celina Jaitly and Sushant Divgikar. 

We also launched a thought-provoking social experiment video, #StandWithPride, which brought together a diverse group of 20 participants and used glass boxes to reveal how the LGBTQIA+ community has to fight biases. The video garnered over 1 million views and urged viewers to sign up as allies.

Redefining Family

As a socially responsible organization, we felt the need to address a challenge faced by the LGBTQIA+ community: Same-sex couples in live-in relationships were excluded from floater health insurance covers as they did not fall under the classic definition of ‘family.’ Therefore, in January 2023, we took the industry-first step to offer equal rights—we redefined the term ‘family’ across Future Generali’s health insurance products to include LGBTQIA+ community members and live-in partners. 

We also kick-started a nationwide conversation around the subject with a bold OOH campaign—another first in the insurance industry—that featured real-life LGBTQIA+ couples on billboards across India. 

In 2023, we got bigger and better, consciously deciding to celebrate Pride Month in July—to throw light on the fact that celebrating pride should be a year-long effort. Based on the theme of Assuring, Ensuring, and Insuring Inclusion, FGII’s Pride Day in 2023 included performances and a parade led by LGBTQIA+ icon Sushant Divgikar. Author and DEI consultant Parmesh Sahani gave an insightful speech on workplace inclusion. An engaging panel discussion followed, in which Karnataka’s first trans-woman doctor Dr. Trinetera Halder, digital creators and the faces of FGII’s ‘Redefining Family’ campaign, Yogi and Kabeer, shared their experiences. We also organized mural painting on FGII’s gender-neutral restroom walls, a theatre act, and interactive workshops. Rainbow colors and pop-up stalls by artists from the LGBTQIA+ community gave the office premises a celebratory atmosphere.  

Today, FGII is perceived as a truly inclusive employer, leading to a significant rise in LGBTQIA+ CVs on our career site. Not surprisingly, our efforts have been recognized by various stakeholders, winning us awards such as ‘Best Workplaces in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging’ and ‘Organisation with Inclusive Practices’ by Great Place to Work. We have also received ‘Best Workspace Preaching Holistic Inclusion’ at the BW People's Diversity & Inclusion Summit & Awards and 'Diverse – Inclusive Workplace of the Year’ at the Campaign India Women Leading Change Awards. Encouraged by the immensely positive response, we are determined to contribute to a future where inclusion is not the exception but rather the norm.