Are they getting Equal Opportunities as the Third gender?
The Unfinished Fight: Why India’s Workplaces Still Exclude Transgender Talent
India made history with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, promising rights and opportunities, but the ground reality is far from ideal
The Reality of Workplace Inclusion for Transgender Individuals in India
While India made history with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, promising rights and opportunities, the ground reality is far from ideal. Despite legal recognition, 92% of transgender individuals in India remain outside the formal workforce (Source: National Human Rights Commission, India).
Even in urban corporate hubs like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi, trans professionals face hiring biases, workplace discrimination, and a lack of inclusive policies. In blue-collar jobs, the challenges multiply, often forcing transgender people into precarious employment or sex work.
The Hard-Hitting Facts:
Only 6% of transgender individuals have formal employment (NHRC, India).
70% drop out of education due to discrimination, limiting access to professional careers (UNDP Report on Transgender Inclusion in India).
Less than 2% of Indian companies have transgender-inclusive hiring policies (Diversity & Inclusion Workplace Report, 2023).
Over 80% of trans individuals face harassment at work, leading to high attrition (Source: Indian LGBTQ+ Workplace Survey, 2023).
This systemic exclusion calls for urgent corporate intervention. But are companies ready to act?
Are companies ready to act?
The Corporate Blind Spot: Why Companies Still Hesitate
1. Hiring Bias and Lack of Awareness
Many corporate leaders lack exposure to transgender issues and often assume trans individuals lack the required skills, despite evidence to the contrary. The National Employability Report 2022 found that trans candidates perform equally well in skills-based assessments when given equal educational opportunities.
2. Workplace Discrimination & Hostility
Even when hired, transgender employees face misgendering, exclusion from team interactions, and limited career progression opportunities. Many fear reporting workplace harassment due to lack of anti-discrimination policies.
3. Infrastructure & Policy Gaps
Even well-intentioned firms lack gender-neutral washrooms, transgender healthcare benefits, and inclusive dress codes, creating further barriers. Without an LGBTQ+ inclusive HR framework, hiring trans employees remains a symbolic gesture rather than real inclusion.
4. Blue-Collar Job Struggles
While corporate spaces are slowly evolving, trans individuals in blue-collar jobs face physical abuse, lower pay scales, and denial of employment in factories, service industries, and logistics. Trans women and trans men are frequently denied labor rights and job security.
Are they getting equal opportunities as the third gender?
Case Studies: The Harsh Reality vs. Corporate Progress
Case 1: A Trans Professional’s Struggle in White-Collar Jobs
Ria, a 29-year-old trans woman, completed her MBA but was rejected by over 50 firms before securing a corporate job. While working in a multinational bank, she faced constant misgendering and was excluded from team-building activities. Eventually, she resigned due to mental health stress.
Case 2: A Trans Man in a Factory Job
Vikram, a trans man, worked in a manufacturing unit but faced gender-based pay discrimination and was forced to use the women’s washroom despite his gender identity. His company had no policy to address his concerns, forcing him to leave.
Positive Example: The Tata Group’s Inclusive Hiring
In contrast, Tata Steel launched a transgender employment initiative in 2021, hiring over 100 transgender employees and offering inclusive facilities. Companies like Accenture, Infosys, and KPMG have also taken steps, but the industry-wide gap remains vast.
How can corporates make it inclusive?
The Way Forward: How Corporates Can Truly Include Trans Employees
Partner with NGOs like PeriFerry (www.periferry.com) to create trans hiring pipelines.
Ensure HR training on transgender identities and rights.
2. Create a Gender-Inclusive Work Environment
Implement gender-neutral washrooms & dress codes.
Offer trans healthcare benefits, including hormone therapy coverage.
Conduct sensitivity workshops for employees.
3. Legal & Financial Protection for Trans Employees
Set up anti-discrimination grievance redressal systems.
Provide equal pay policies and gender-affirming leave policies.
Ensure trans employees are covered under workplace insurance policies.
4. Drive Blue-Collar Job Inclusion
Encourage factories, retail chains, and logistics firms to hire trans employees.
Implement anti-harassment training for all staff.
Introduce skilled training programs for transgender individuals in manufacturing and service sectors.
Corporates Must Lead the Change
Despite some progress, India’s transgender community remains largely excluded from professional and economic opportunities. Corporates hold the power to drive real change by actively hiring, retaining, and empowering transgender employees.
As International Transgender Day approaches, it’s time for companies to move beyond tokenism and create workplaces where everyone—regardless of gender identity—can thrive.
Are Indian corporates ready to take responsibility?
Are you ready to take the next step in workplace inclusion?
Start today by implementing transgender-friendly policies in your organization.
Let’s make a real difference—not just on paper, but in practice. The time to act is now. #TransRights #WorkplaceEquality
In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, employee wellness is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Companies worldwide are increasingly recognizing the importance of prioritizing employee well-being to boost productivity, reduce turnover, and create a healthier workplace culture. One often overlooked but incredibly impactful tool in corporate wellness programs is Occupational Therapy (OT). Occupational therapy focuses on helping employees maintain their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, making it a crucial component in a comprehensive corporate wellness strategy. In this blog, we’ll explore why occupational therapy matters in corporate wellness programs, how it can benefit both employees and employers, and why it should be a cornerstone of your company’s health initiatives. What is Occupational Therapy? Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that helps individuals engage in meaningful activities (occupations) to enhance their health and well-being. Traditionally, it has been used in hospitals and rehabilitation centers to assist people recovering from illness or injury. However, its application in the corporate world is gaining traction as companies recognize the benefits of offering holistic support to their employees. Occupational therapists focus on: Physical health: Helping employees with posture, ergonomics, and mobility. Mental health: Supporting stress management, mental well-being, and emotional resilience. Work-life balance: Assisting employees in creating routines that promote balance and productivity. Why Occupational Therapy is Crucial in Corporate Wellness Programs 1. Boosts Employee Productivity Employees who suffer from physical or mental health challenges are less productive. According to a study by the American Institute of Stress, workplace stress costs U.S. companies an estimated $300…
The Unfinished Fight: Why India’s Workplaces Still Exclude Transgender Talent
India made history with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, promising rights and opportunities, but the ground reality is far from ideal
The Reality of Workplace Inclusion for Transgender Individuals in India
While India made history with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, promising rights and opportunities, the ground reality is far from ideal. Despite legal recognition, 92% of transgender individuals in India remain outside the formal workforce (Source: National Human Rights Commission, India).
Even in urban corporate hubs like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi, trans professionals face hiring biases, workplace discrimination, and a lack of inclusive policies. In blue-collar jobs, the challenges multiply, often forcing transgender people into precarious employment or sex work.
The Hard-Hitting Facts:
This systemic exclusion calls for urgent corporate intervention. But are companies ready to act?
The Corporate Blind Spot: Why Companies Still Hesitate
1. Hiring Bias and Lack of Awareness
Many corporate leaders lack exposure to transgender issues and often assume trans individuals lack the required skills, despite evidence to the contrary. The National Employability Report 2022 found that trans candidates perform equally well in skills-based assessments when given equal educational opportunities.
2. Workplace Discrimination & Hostility
Even when hired, transgender employees face misgendering, exclusion from team interactions, and limited career progression opportunities. Many fear reporting workplace harassment due to lack of anti-discrimination policies.
3. Infrastructure & Policy Gaps
Even well-intentioned firms lack gender-neutral washrooms, transgender healthcare benefits, and inclusive dress codes, creating further barriers. Without an LGBTQ+ inclusive HR framework, hiring trans employees remains a symbolic gesture rather than real inclusion.
4. Blue-Collar Job Struggles
While corporate spaces are slowly evolving, trans individuals in blue-collar jobs face physical abuse, lower pay scales, and denial of employment in factories, service industries, and logistics. Trans women and trans men are frequently denied labor rights and job security.
Case Studies: The Harsh Reality vs. Corporate Progress
Case 1: A Trans Professional’s Struggle in White-Collar Jobs
Ria, a 29-year-old trans woman, completed her MBA but was rejected by over 50 firms before securing a corporate job. While working in a multinational bank, she faced constant misgendering and was excluded from team-building activities. Eventually, she resigned due to mental health stress.
Case 2: A Trans Man in a Factory Job
Vikram, a trans man, worked in a manufacturing unit but faced gender-based pay discrimination and was forced to use the women’s washroom despite his gender identity. His company had no policy to address his concerns, forcing him to leave.
Positive Example: The Tata Group’s Inclusive Hiring
In contrast, Tata Steel launched a transgender employment initiative in 2021, hiring over 100 transgender employees and offering inclusive facilities. Companies like Accenture, Infosys, and KPMG have also taken steps, but the industry-wide gap remains vast.
The Way Forward: How Corporates Can Truly Include Trans Employees
1. Develop & Implement Trans-Inclusive Hiring Policies
2. Create a Gender-Inclusive Work Environment
3. Legal & Financial Protection for Trans Employees
4. Drive Blue-Collar Job Inclusion
Corporates Must Lead the Change
Despite some progress, India’s transgender community remains largely excluded from professional and economic opportunities. Corporates hold the power to drive real change by actively hiring, retaining, and empowering transgender employees.
As International Transgender Day approaches, it’s time for companies to move beyond tokenism and create workplaces where everyone—regardless of gender identity—can thrive.
Are you ready to take the next step in workplace inclusion?
Start today by implementing transgender-friendly policies in your organization.
Let’s make a real difference—not just on paper, but in practice. The time to act is now. #TransRights #WorkplaceEquality
Importance of Occupational Therapy in Corporate Wellness Programs
In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, employee wellness is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Companies worldwide are increasingly recognizing the importance of prioritizing employee well-being to boost productivity, reduce turnover, and create a healthier workplace culture. One often overlooked but incredibly impactful tool in corporate wellness programs is Occupational Therapy (OT). Occupational therapy focuses on helping employees maintain their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, making it a crucial component in a comprehensive corporate wellness strategy. In this blog, we’ll explore why occupational therapy matters in corporate wellness programs, how it can benefit both employees and employers, and why it should be a cornerstone of your company’s health initiatives. What is Occupational Therapy? Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that helps individuals engage in meaningful activities (occupations) to enhance their health and well-being. Traditionally, it has been used in hospitals and rehabilitation centers to assist people recovering from illness or injury. However, its application in the corporate world is gaining traction as companies recognize the benefits of offering holistic support to their employees. Occupational therapists focus on: Physical health: Helping employees with posture, ergonomics, and mobility. Mental health: Supporting stress management, mental well-being, and emotional resilience. Work-life balance: Assisting employees in creating routines that promote balance and productivity. Why Occupational Therapy is Crucial in Corporate Wellness Programs 1. Boosts Employee Productivity Employees who suffer from physical or mental health challenges are less productive. According to a study by the American Institute of Stress, workplace stress costs U.S. companies an estimated $300…