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advocates of our three cohorts by introducing that many of the skills required to assess the success
policy changes or inclusive products that testify of DEI initiatives are core skills of internal auditors.
to our unwavering allyship to the LGBTQIA+ The internal audit function plays a crucial role in
community and women. any organisation’s corporate governance framework,
internal processes and controls, risk management,
For instance, being a woman in a leadership regulatory compliance, financial reporting, and
position has enabled me to witness the positive overall assistance in achieving the organisation’s
impact of FGII’s policies on the morale of the stated objectives. In the current dynamic market
women in the team. These include one-day landscape, this role is ever-expanding.
period leave, flexible working arrangements
for returning mothers, a mental health hotline, Armed with an independent and high-level view of
paternity leave, fertility treatment, inclusion an organisation, Internal Audit teams are uniquely
of surrogacy under Group Medical policy, and positioned to ensure that DEI initiatives align
travel assistance at odd hours. with an organisation’s core values and objectives.
By monitoring progress, Internal Audit can track
Additionally, as head of the Special Ability key metrics such as workforce demographics,
Alliance Group at FGII, I am proud of the strides employee surveys, and turnover rates to measure
we have taken in onboarding differently-abled the effectiveness of DEI programmes. Additionally,
candidates—we have increased their number auditors can evaluate DEI training for employees
from 7 in 2022 to 42 in this fiscal, i.e. ensured and leadership, recommending improvements to
that differently-abled employees form 1% of foster a more inclusive culture.
total employee strength at FGII. In several
departments, including within the Internal Audit Promoting ethical leadership is crucial, and Internal
team, we have identified several roles—from data Audit ensures that executives and managers are held
mining to onsite audit—where differently-abled accountable for upholding DEI values. Similarly,
candidates can excel. We have also accordingly auditors can support senior leaders in achieving
introduced changes in our hiring strategy and their DEI objectives by advising them on risk
recruiting process. considerations and doing pulse checks to track DEI
progress and refine strategies based on the results.
What sets FGII’s DEI efforts apart is our focus Another role that Internal Audit can naturally excel
on using celebration as a powerful tool to foster at is benchmarking the organisation’s DEI practices
familiarity and awareness across the organisation. against industry standards, thereby identifying areas
From month-long Pride celebrations, where for improvement and innovation. Internal Audit can
LGBTQIA+ icons engage with our team, to also verify that sufficient resources are allocated to
Diversability Week events featuring performances sustain DEI efforts across the organisation.
and sessions with DEI industry experts, these
celebrations captivate attention and have Internal auditors unarguably have the power to
successfully nurtured affinity and acceptance in act as a catalyst for positive change. But with great
our workplace. power comes great responsibility. Auditors have
the responsibility to leverage their expertise to help
Role of Internal Audit in DEI foster accountability, ensure transparency, and drive
progress toward achieving DEI objectives.
At FGII, we understand that moving the needle
on DEI requires more than good intentions.
It requires the same rigour and discipline as About the author: Ritu brings with her more than 19 years of
any strategic business initiative. It also requires varied experience in Auditing and Accounting, including an 18-
year specialisation in Life and General Insurance. She heads the
establishing metrics and monitoring the PWD Special Alliance Group at FGII and is a member of the
programme to ensure it performs as intended. FGII POSH Committee and IIA Training Team of the Bombay
We also constantly need new ways to identify Chapter. For her outstanding services and contributions, Ritu
and manage DEI risks and compare business has received numerous awards, including Internal Auditor of
processes to expose strengths and deficiencies. the Year, Women Auditor Officer of the Year, Young Innovative
Leader, and others. She is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys running,
Our DEI journey has thrown light on the fact cycling, working out, and practising yoga.
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