Experts call for 'open workplace' for LGBT people

With social stigmas barring people of the LGBT community from realising their full potential in the corporate world, experts at a meet held on Friday called for creating a fair and open workplace for such people.

The call was given during the fourth annual conference of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) here. It was attended by over 1,000 delegates, including human resource (HR) professionals, corporate leaders and over 60 acclaimed thought leaders from across the world.

Sharing her views about the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population in one of the sessions of the two-day conference, prominent transgender rights activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi said: "The society is yet to understand and accept this group of people and give their rightful place in the corporate world."

"The judiciary has shown progression by recognising our community as a third gender and now there should be serious attempt by corporates to create policies that recognise and support LGBT rights," Tripathi, founder trustee and chairperson, Astitva Trust, said.

Representing over 2,60,000 members in over 140 countries, SHRM is the world's largest association devoted to human resource management, an official statement said.

"The last two days saw a series of informative and constructive discussions that have captured the essence of human resource management in the current scenario," Achal Khanna, CEO, SHRM India, said.

"I hope our attempt to serve the needs of HR professionals and advance the profession as a whole has been fulfilled in a small yet meaningful manner through this conference," Khanna noted.

The conference, which concluded on Friday, also witnessed SHRM India announcing the winners of its annual awards for excellence in human resource management and innovative practices.

Tech Mahindra Limited won the awards in three categories - excellence in social media practices, excellence in developing leader of tomorrow and excellence in community impact which the company shared with watchmaker Titan Company Limited.

Among other categories, excellence in diversity and inclusion went to Aegis Limited while excellence in talent sourcing and staffing was awarded to WNS Global Services (P) Limited;

While Microsoft India bagged the award for employer with best employee health and wellness initiative, excellence in human resources in South Asia award went to SriLankan Airlines.