Unilever Phl expands year-round workplace inclusion efforts

Unilever Philippines is strengthening its workplace inclusion initiatives through employee-led programs, inclusive policies, and support systems aimed at fostering a culture of belonging beyond Pride Month.

The company recently launched its ProUd Network, Unilever's global Employee Resource Group (ERG) for LGBTQI+ employees and allies, during its "Proud of U: Diversity & Allyship in the Workplace" event. The employee engagement gathering featured Pride advocates Baus Rufo, Eva Le Queen, and KaladKaren, who joined company employees in sharing personal experiences on diversity and allyship.

The ProUd Network, established in 2018, now has more than 1,300 members across 20 local chapters worldwide. The network serves as a platform for advocacy, learning, and support to advance workplace equality and inclusion.

“While the journey toward fully inclusive workplaces is far from complete, especially in a global organization as diverse as Unilever, the ProUd Network demonstrates that meaningful strides have been made and that there is a strong foundation on which to build,” said Richard Velasquez, ProUd Network champion at Unilever Philippines.

The company also participated in the recent LoveLaban Pride Festival in Quezon City, where employees joined thousands of advocates. Cream Silk, one of Unilever's brands, took part in the march with a themed float accompanied by drag performer Eva Le Queen and social media personality Sophie Prime.

Beyond employee engagement activities, Unilever Philippines said it continues to integrate inclusion into its workplace policies and operations. These include gender-neutral uniforms for factory employees, gender-neutral restrooms in offices, comprehensive medical coverage, 150 days of fully paid maternity leave, and 20 working days of fully paid paternity leave for eligible employees.

The company has also introduced Gender Transition Guidelines and a corresponding policy that provides guidance for employees, managers, and human resources personnel, as well as individualized transition support plans.

“At Unilever Philippines, inclusion is rooted in the Filipino value of malasakit,” said Geeta Royyuru, Unilever Philippines HR head and B&W Southeast Asia HR lead.

“By celebrating Pride, we reaffirm our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, empowered, and free to be their authentic selves. We are proud to see this commitment reflected in the increasing visibility of LGBTQ+ leaders across our business, whose presence is an example of how authenticity and inclusion can inspire people and drive organizational success,” she added.

Unilever Philippines said it aims to sustain these initiatives throughout the year as part of its broader commitment to building an inclusive workplace where employees have equal opportunities to grow and thrive.