Sanjana Bhalla, 

Learning & Quality Manager, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida

How does your workplace embrace equality ? 

At IHG, inclusion means creating a culture that truly values having colleagues from a wide variety of backgrounds and provides them with a positive and welcoming environment in which they can thrive.  Crowne Plaza Greater Noida is truly a brand ambassador of the thought and is committed to promoting equality and inclusion in its workplaces and communities. We are embracing equality by driving gender balance and a doubling of under-represented groups or specially-abled colleagues across job roles. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and have established policies to ensure that the recruitment and selection processes are inclusive and unbiased.  

The organization also fosters a culture of respect, inclusion, and belonging for all employees also supports our colleagues in prioritizing their own well-being and that of others.  

We also provide training and development programs to promote diversity, equity, and conscious inclusion among our employees. These programs aim to raise awareness, promote understanding, and build skills related to diversity and inclusion. It also supports and partners with organizations that promote equality. Encouraging female colleagues to learn and grow IHG also has a RISE Program which pioneers aspiring female General Managers and Excoms which has led to a rise of 7% in female General Managers globally. We at Crowne Plaza also are deepening our inclusive hiring, focusing more on well-being, addressing social mobility from all societies, diversifying across job bands, and enabling more female leaders to RISE.  

Crowne Plaza is committed to creating an inclusive workplace culture and promoting equality in its communities. 

As a woman, how do you make sure that you embrace equality? When you are the decision maker how do you ensure you are not gender-biased?  

Well, most of it actually starts at home.Usually, it’s a self-check but first, we must recognize what gender bias is. Once there is clarity of thought there we usually can check our own actions or interactions for biases.  

One fascinating thought to check your biases is to Consider the books, magazines, and podcasts you consume, and the people and brands you follow on social media. Make a conscious effort to listen to women’s voices and adventure stories from a variety of backgrounds. This helps me in keeping my thoughts and avoiding biases.  

For me, the decision is solely based on the situation and not on gender. I use gender-neutral words and Communicate openly and honestly with your workforce. My diligent effort is to diversify my workplace, educate the maximum number of people on these unconscious biases, and actively encourage women to rise based on merit.  

Do you believe that gender inclusive policies are justified with an increasing number of women in the industry while still not being a 50% strength or close? 

Yes, gender-inclusive policies are justified even if the number of women in the hospitality industry is not at 50% strength or close. While it is true that there has been progress in increasing the number of women in the hospitality industry, there is still a gender gap that needs to be addressed. Gender-inclusive policies are important because they create a more equitable and supportive environment for all employees, regardless of gender. 

In addition, gender-inclusive policies can have positive impacts on businesses in the hospitality industry. Diversity and inclusion can lead to higher employee morale, increased productivity, and better financial performance. By creating an inclusive workplace culture and implementing policies that support gender equality, businesses in the hospitality industry can attract and retain top talent, improve customer satisfaction, and strengthen their reputation as an employer of choice.  

It is important to note that gender-inclusive policies should not be limited to women. They should also consider the needs and experiences of all gender identities, including non-binary and transgender individuals. By creating policies that are inclusive of all gender identities, businesses in the hospitality industry can create a more welcoming and supportive environment for all employees.