Given its many years of manufacturing legacy, Tata Motors has been low on gender diversity with only 3.5% of the current workforce being women. As technology evolves, more women are willing to explore opportunities in manufacturing apart from the corporate functions and Tata Motors is focused on moving forward on this journey.

Tata Motors is increasingly employing young women on shop floors and assembly lines along with men to increase diversity and bridge the gender gap at the workplace. The entire ‘world truck trim line’ in Jamshedpur is run as well as managed completely by highly trained women professionals comprising of managers, supervisors and operators. Women are also inducted along with men as ‘Full Term Apprentices’ every year under the Apprentice Act 1961 as well as trainees under the Tata Motors Skill Training Scheme.

The referral policy has been revamped to reward for successful referral of women. There is also an effort to encourage working mothers through initiatives like flexible working hours, work from home, extended sabbatical, and flexibility on maternity leave. Further the on-going commitment to develop women, Tata Motors has focused learning and development initiatives which enable women to interact with women role models across the organizations. Women also participate in cross-country diversity initiatives where they exchange views, insights and perspectives with other women professionals across industries.

Prabir Jha is Senior Vice President & Head - HR, Tata Motors