Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year
Empowering Voices: Embracing Diversity Through Inclusion – Travel Food Services
Travel Food Services Vice President Business Development Darpan Mehta (left) and Chief Operating Officer Gaurav Dewan with the Diversity & Inclusion Award
Travel Food Services’ commitment to diversity and inclusion is exemplified by its ‘Empowering Voices’ initiative, which led to this award. Its approach stems from the belief that every individual, regardless of their abilities, brings unique talents and perspectives that enrich the organisation.
Crucially, the company recognised the untapped potential of the speech and hearing-impaired community and aimed to create a workplace that celebrates their skills, while also providing equal opportunities and support for their personal growth.
To make this happen, TFS partnered with an NGO that specialises in empowering speech and hearing-impaired individuals. That opened doors to individuals who might otherwise have faced barriers to employment.
Key elements included creating an inclusive onboarding Standard Operating Procedure; designing an environment friendly to those with speech or hearing impairments and conducting specialised training sessions that fostered empathy and encouraged teamwork among all employees.
Today TFS has 12 speech and hearing-impaired employees working at outlets in Chennai and Mumbai airports, and it is onboarding an additional nine employees at Delhi and Kolkata airports.
Its most remarkable achievement is to run an entire outlet (‘Aamcha Katta’) exclusively with speech and hearing-impaired employees.
TFS says: “This outlet has become a symbol of inclusivity and has garnered immense support and appreciation from our customers. It not only showcases the capabilities of differently-abled individuals but also fosters an environment of acceptance and equality.”
In the coming year, TFS plans to open 20 outlets exclusively staffed by speech and hearing-impaired individuals, reinforcing its strong commitment to improving access for differently-abled talents to the hospitality industry.
Travel Food Services has been a pioneer when it comes to training and employing staff with speech or hearing impairments
FAB eZine
January 2024
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