Building an inclusive workplace
April 6, 2023
We’re building a diverse workforce
As part of our ongoing efforts toward building a sustainable and inclusive work environment, our operations team in Hyderabad onboarded a group of team members with hearing and speech impairments. Here is what they have to share about their experience.
A Place for People of All Abilities: Employee POV | Optum India
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Having a translator, a sign language
expert throughout the hiring process.
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All the candidates were fairly reviewed and
evaluated for the roles that fit them best
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not just based on their resumes, but
other interests and career goals etc.
00:01:02:00 - 00:01:12:07
Accessible office space and
bias-free hiring process
00:01:16:14 - 00:01:22:18
At Optum, I appreciate the focus
on every team member’s welfare
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as it creates a very pleasant
work environment for us all.
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I love the vibe at my workplace.
It inspires me to do my best.
00:01:38:01 - 00:01:42:17
At Optum, we have a very
comfortable work environment
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and everything, from transportation
to food services, is taken care of.
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Festive celebrations and team activities
have made for a great working experience.
00:02:01:08 - 00:02:07:15
On the occasion of Diwali celebrations,
my entire team and I walked the ramp
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and the overwhelming support that we received
from our team members was heartwarming.
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Well-adapted training methodology
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Working with my team I acquire more
and more knowledge every day.
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Most importantly, making an impact on the lives
of those we serve is the most rewarding part of my job.
00:02:39:13 - 00:02:49:04
Of course, every day — And I also have access
to a very competent interpreter when I need one.
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The leaders are truly invested in every team member’s
well-being and in building a healthy work environment.
00:02:58:14 - 00:03:07:00
A keen focus on work-life balance and encouragement
to explore other interests within the company
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definitely makes me feel supported at work.
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At Optum, we are working on a mission
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to help people live healthier lives and to
make the health system work better for everyone.
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To achieve this, we need a diverse and
inclusive workforce that brings unique perspectives
00:03:27:15 - 00:03:29:06
and build the right solutions.
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One of our special initiatives in this direction
is working with people of all abilities
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through a proactive and adaptive approach.
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We are creating an inclusive infrastructure, gaining insights
and feedback from our team members and sensitizing them.
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So that everyone is encouraged
to do their life’s best work with us.
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I’m grateful
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I’m excited
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I’m delighted
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to be a part of
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the Optum family.
At Optum India, we recently onboarded 13 full-time team members with speech and hearing impairments and a sign language trainer and supervisor for selected roles in Hyderabad.
Key actions taken related to infrastructure assessment included 5–6 weeks of adaptive learning, engagement with an external consultant and workshops led by accessibility experts, sensitization workshop for hiring managers and other team members, and creation of new performance management practices.
This is only the first chapter, and we are excited to help build and support an inclusive workforce, where conscious inclusion efforts can help the organization create and provide a more effective work environment to encourage team members.