Effective Date: October 2024
Contact: compliances@thebluetick.org
Phone: +91 81 97559755
1. Introduction
At The Blue Tick, we believe that inclusion, diversity, and equality are essential to fostering innovation, creativity, and success in the media, branding, and communication sectors. As a global leader in media communication and advertising, we understand that the diversity of our team and the inclusiveness of our culture are fundamental to our success. Our goal is to create an environment where every individual—regardless of their background—can contribute fully, feel respected, and have an opportunity to thrive.
This Inclusion and Diversity Policy reflects our commitment to upholding the highest standards of inclusion, promoting diversity, and fostering an equitable workplace. It aligns with global best practices, legal compliance, and is integrated into all aspects of our business operations.
2. Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this policy is to:
- Ensure that The Blue Tick is an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
- Promote diversity in all its forms, including gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical ability, socio-economic background, and lived experiences.
- Foster a culture of belonging and remove barriers that may limit opportunities for underrepresented groups.
- Ensure that our internal practices and policies, as well as our interactions with clients and partners, reflect our core values of inclusion and diversity.
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, freelancers, interns, partners, clients, and individuals engaged with The Blue Tick globally.
3. Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At The Blue Tick, our diversity is reflected in who we are, how we think, and how we approach problem-solving. We are committed to:
- Equal Opportunities for All: Recruitment, promotion, and career development opportunities are based on merit, skills, and qualifications. We actively seek out diverse talent and are committed to equal pay for equal work, ensuring pay equity regardless of gender, race, or background.
- Inclusive Culture: We foster an inclusive environment where every voice is heard, every idea is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We promote open communication and encourage feedback to improve our workplace practices continually.
- Elimination of Bias: We provide unconscious bias training to all our employees to help them identify and mitigate biases that may impact decision-making in hiring, project management, and client interactions.
- Accountability and Transparency: We set measurable diversity and inclusion goals, monitor progress, and hold our leadership accountable for creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace. This includes collecting data on workforce diversity and using the insights to enhance our practices.
4. Goals and Objectives
4.1 Recruitment and Talent Development
We are committed to recruiting and nurturing talent from a wide variety of backgrounds to ensure diverse perspectives are included in all aspects of our work. Our talent strategy focuses on:
- Hiring individuals from underrepresented groups.
- Creating mentorship and leadership development programs for employees from diverse backgrounds.
- Providing training and resources to ensure every employee can reach their full potential within the organisation.
4.2 Pay Equity
We are committed to pay equity and conduct regular reviews to ensure fair and equal pay across the organisation. We do not tolerate discrepancies in pay based on gender, race, or other identity factors. We offer equal benefits to all employees, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or marital status.
4.3 Accessibility
We are dedicated to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. This includes providing reasonable accommodations for physical, mental, and sensory impairments, as well as ensuring that our digital and physical workspaces are inclusive for all.
4.4 Diversity in Leadership
Our goal is to increase diversity in leadership roles by creating pathways for career growth. We are committed to promoting more women, individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, and other underrepresented groups into senior positions across the organisation.
4.5 Client and Partner Engagement
We believe that diverse teams produce more innovative and creative solutions. Therefore, we strive to build diverse teams for our client projects and work with partners who share our commitment to inclusion and diversity.
5. Employee Networks and Support
We encourage the formation of diverse employee networks that foster community and provide support to individuals from underrepresented groups. Additionally, we provide resources for mental health and well-being, ensuring that every employee feels supported both personally and professionally.
6. Zero Tolerance for Discrimination and Harassment
The Blue Tick maintains a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, harassment, or bullying based on any individual’s gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or any other protected characteristic.
Any reported instances of discrimination or harassment will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate actions, which may include disciplinary measures or termination of employment, will be taken.
7. Inclusive Leadership and Accountability
7.1 Leadership Commitment
Our leadership team is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and diversity. We expect all managers and team leaders to exemplify these values and ensure that their teams adhere to our policy.
7.2 Training and Development
We provide ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training for all employees, including unconscious bias training, allyship programs, and inclusive leadership workshops. Leaders are also required to undergo DEI-specific training to ensure they are equipped to build and sustain inclusive teams.
7.3 Measurement and Reporting
We use a data-driven approach to measure our progress in diversity and inclusion. This includes collecting voluntary self-identification data (where legally permitted) on race, gender, disability, and sexual orientation. Our progress is reviewed annually, and we will publish key diversity metrics as part of our commitment to transparency.
8. Client and Industry Advocacy
We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion not just within our organisation but also across the industry. We actively engage with our clients, encouraging them to adopt and integrate diversity and sustainability practices in their own operations. We collaborate with industry organisations and partners to drive positive change, share best practices, and advocate for inclusivity at a global level.
9. Compliance and Legal Framework
The Blue Tick strictly adheres to all relevant local, national, and international laws governing workplace equality, inclusion, and anti-discrimination practices. As a registered entity in India, we comply with the following:
- The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
- The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
- The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019
- The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
10. Review and Continuous Improvement
This policy is reviewed annually to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness. We will make adjustments as necessary based on internal reviews, feedback from employees, and evolving industry standards. We encourage all team members to participate actively in this process by providing suggestions and feedback.
Contact Information
For any concerns or compliance-related questions, please contact compliances@thebluetick.org or call +91 81 97559755.