To strengthen diversity and inclusion (D&I) at workplace, Mahindra logistics Ltd. (MLL) has unveiled a five-year plan which aims at employing differently abled persons, ex-servicemen from the armed forces and bridging the gender diversity gap by hiring more women from various backgrounds and experience.

MLL has launched its LGBTQIA policy and its robust plan to employ people from the community.

The company recently started hiring persons with disabilities (PwDs) for operations in is warehouses. While MLL is working on hiring and sensitization, it aims to recruit 500 employees in FY2021, both on its rolls and the rolls of its business partners.

MLL is also in the process of bringing on-board ex-servicemen – JCOs/NCOs from army, air force and navy mainly for large operations at customer sites. The company aims to include 10 ex-servicemen under its rolls in the first phase and 50 ex-servicemen in the next 3 years.

Gender diversity remains a challenge, specifically in the logistics sector. To bridge the gap, Mahindra Logistics is one of the sector leaders to initiate a special initiative called – 'Udaan' – a second careers (comeback) program and second career internship program for women at all levels, functions and divisions. Additionally, a 'Birth & Beyond' policy has been created which encompasses the creation of a conducive work environment for women employees throughout the maternity continuum. While several women have availed benefits from the Birth & Beyond policy, the company has already started hiring women under Udaan program and the plan is to take this number to 50 by 2021.

Rampraveen Swaminathan, Managing Director and CEO, Mahindra Logistics Ltd. said "We encourage and value diversity amongst our employees, associates, business partners, customers and communities. It is therefore imperative to make MLL attractive for millennials, provide equal opportunity to women as well as persons with disabilities, recruit employees from diverse backgrounds like armed forces, and shatter the stereotypes around LGBTQIA workforce.

"It gives us the opportunity to increase our exposure through varied thought processes and knowledge streams that can broaden our outlook towards our business", he added.