How PhonePe is Building an Inclusive Workplace and Celebrating Pride

At PhonePe, LGBTQIA Inclusion goes beyond policies and numbers. The organisation is focused on building a workplace where everyone feels they belong, where people are free to be themselves and where all identities are valued and celebrated.

The journey towards building a truly inclusive workplace is anchored in the belief that diversity fuels innovation, and that every individual, regardless of identity, deserves to thrive. And when it comes to LGBTQIA+ inclusion, PhonePe knows there’s always more to learn, more to do, and more space to create. Here is a peek into how the company is walking the talk through people-first initiatives that help every PhonePe-r feel seen and supported.

The policies are designed to be inclusive and gender-neutral, recognizing that families and identities come in many forms; they include medical insurance coverage for same-sex partners and gender affirmation procedures and parental leave for adoptive and queer parents. It offers access to 1:1 counseling with queer-affirmative therapists and conduct peer-led Queer Support Groups (QSGs) facilitated by trained practitioners. They also support parental journeys through guided support groups, inclusive of all family configurations.

Additionally, there is an Employee Resource Group (ERG) called ‘Queer and Here’, which consists of PhonePe-rs from the LGBTQ+ community. The ERG meets up regularly for open conversations and discusses ways to build connection, visibility, and inclusion across the organization.

The organization offers a safe space initiative, a small, confidential group where members of the LGBTQ+ community at PhonePe can talk freely, ask for help, and find support. These spaces are held by trained members of the D&I team and community, with complete respect for privacy.

Burhanuddin Kesury - Online Merchants Team, an out and proud PhonePe-r, says: “When the ERG was formed I was very happy as I got a chance to be part of something I always dreamed of - doing something better for the community. ERG helped boost confidence in me to be open at my workplace, and being part of a safe place gave me an opportunity to help any individual with their concerns - which would not have been possible if not for PhonePe. PhonePe has left a mark in my life for being an inclusive workplace where equality is priority.”

PhonePe believes that allyship is active. Through regular awareness sessions on breaking biases, LGBTQ+ awareness and allyship webinars, through its wellness partner Silver Oak, it helps everyone at PhonePe learn how to listen and support the community. Resources like the Allyship Handbook and LGBTQIA+ Manager Toolkit help PhonePe-rs and leaders alike become better allies and advocates. Every year, it runs a LGBTQ+ Readiness Survey to better understand how inclusive and prepared the organization is. The survey assesses awareness, comfort levels, and willingness to ally with the LGBTQ+ community.

Celebrating Pride at PhonePe

This June, Pride month at PhonePe was filled with connection, celebration, and some powerful moments. The theme ‘ Belong, Thrive!’ reflected in everything we did. PhonePe-ers came together to celebrate authenticity, identity, and community through meaningful initiatives that highlighted visibility and support.

Pride month was kicked off with a strong theatrical performance titled Sam-Aaj, a moving journey of self-discovery, love, acceptance, and identity. Told through poetry, dance, and music, the play is a reminder of the power of authentic love and the courage it takes to live your truth. It was a heartfelt reminder of the strength in embracing who one truly is.

Sushma Jayaram, of the Engineering Team, reflected on the play as “such a beautiful experience”. “The performances were powerful, and the story touched my heart. It explored emotions and themes that felt deeply relatable not just for the queer community, but for anyone who's ever struggled to be seen and accepted. I'm really grateful to have been part of something so meaningful. .”

Later in the month, the ‘Queer & Here’ ERG hosted an exclusive networking event for LGBTQ+ employees. It was an evening of storytelling, artistic expression, and community building that provided a safe, affirming space for people to share experiences and build lasting relationships. The evening concluded with an artistic expression of Pride and goodies for all attendees.

Across offices, there were a series of engaging activities like a Pride-themed photo booth, Pride walk, LGBTQ+ Quizzes and more. PhonePe also launched a targeted referral campaign to expand efforts in hiring LGBTQ+ talent through partner platforms and networks. The month ended on a celebratory note with a special Pride Lunch where everyone came together to celebrate over delicious Pride-themed meals.

Mohit Singh, of the Product Operations team, says, “Witnessing Pride month, three years in a row, has been a highlight, with thoughtfully organized events that create a safe and celebratory atmosphere. The combination of an inclusive culture, supportive leaders, and initiatives like insurance coverage for same-sex partners and LGBTQ employee resource groups has allowed me to thrive both professionally and personally. I’m incredibly fortunate to have such compassionate colleagues who accepted me for who I am. For that, I’m deeply grateful.”

Inclusion is an ongoing commitment and at PhonePe, the organization is continually learning, listening, and evolving to ensure that every employee feels like they belong. Pride Month is a powerful reminder of how far the company has come and how much further it can go together.