Why ERGs score over ESG ratings when it comes to LGBT+ inclusion at the workplace

Corporate India is increasingly relying on Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to bring in more sensitivity into the workplace for LGBT+ inclusion. Experts feel regulatory guidelines for companies could help to make their systems, processes and practices LGBTQ+ inclusive.

When top 1,000-listed companies, ranked on the basis of their market cap, come out with their Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) disclosures over the next couple of months, there would a deluge of data on their Environment Social and Governance (ESG) performance available for scrutiny and assessment. However, don’t expect many numbers to tumble out when it comes to assessing their performance on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) parameters. The BRSR disclosures mostly relate to information related to gender diversity and inclusion in terms of male and female participation in the workforce, and how easily accessible is the workplace for physically disabled people. It is kind of silent on finer DEI issues, such as LGBT+ participation in the workplace.