Insights Considering a career in India? Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives you should know about

77% of Indian employers believe that Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging are crucial for organisational performance and 73% of employees wish to work at organisations that actively promote such initiatives. 

More and more companies are being encouraged by the Indian workforce to adopt Equality, Diversity and Inclusion practices to create a better workplace.

What do diversity and inclusion mean? 

Diversity is the different traits and characteristics in a group of people such as age, gender, sex, religion, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, and ethnicity. Inclusion is all about ensuring that everyone feels valued, respected, and has access to the same opportunities. 

We're not all the same. And that's our greatest strength. At Atkins in India, we are on a journey to create a more welcoming place to work, where everyone feels valued and free to share ideas. This enhances our ability to understand our clients and communities – so we can create more innovative, sustainable and inclusive solutions. 

Here are four Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives in India you should know about: 

The Women in Science (WiS) Initiative was introduced to bridge the gender disparity gap in India. This initiative aims to create opportunities for women to excel in science and advance their careers, whatever stage that may be. 

Some of the key areas that the initiative focuses on are gender bias, representation of women in leadership, resources and funding issues, breaking stereotypes, and cultural norms. Through governmental, institutional and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), new policies and programs are implemented to support women in science. 

Skill Development Programmes 

Launched in 2015, the National Action Plan (NAP) set out to enable people with disabilities through skills training. 

The programme currently has 292 organisations, government and non-government, who are training partners. 

Anyone from the age of 15 to 59 with a certificate of disability is eligible for the course. People who complete the programme are awarded a certificate as well as opportunities of employment, both wage and self-employment. 

30% of the total intake of each training programme is earmarked for women to account for gender diversity. 

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017

This legislation was significant as it saw massive improvements from the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, of 1961. 

Here are some of the key differences between the two acts: 

• Increased maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks 
• Maternity benefits for adoptive mothers and surrogates 
• Work-from-home options after maternity leave to accommodate family responsibilities
• Establishments with 50 or more employees to provide crèche facilities for nursing mothers. 
• Prohibits employers from dismissing, discharging, or reducing the wages of a woman employee during her maternity leave

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Atkins

We strive to put ED&I at the heart of our culture and day-to-day work. Through qualitative and quantitative targets, we hold ourselves accountable for removing barriers so we can all thrive in the workplace and beyond. 

20.9% of our managers and senior professionals and 32.1% of our staff are females. Every year, we aim to increase this number. 

We encourage everyone to use their voice to champion progress across India. One of the ways we do this is through our employee resource groups. To name a few: 

• Aham Asmi - a place for our employees to discuss LGBTQ+ issues. 
• Able - friendly vibrant community for sharing ideas, information and news relevant to those affected by disability – visible or not.
• Women’s Business Network (WBN) - a staff network encouraging a gender-balanced, inclusive workplace where all employees can flourish.
• Genesis - a group for embracing a multi-generational workforce to ask questions, share stories, support and mentor each other.
• DARE - Diversity Across Regions and Ethnicities Network understands that people are diverse and have varying religions, beliefs, and faiths and are from different regions.

You won’t just experience these values inside the business. You’ll also inspire the world around you – through more inclusive, accessible and sustainable design.

Visit our careers page and Join us in India and you join over 3,700 people from a multitude of different cultures and abilities.