Lenskart Revises Style Guide Following Controversy Over Religious Symbols
Lenskart releases new style guide after bindi-hijab row. What it says
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Lenskart, the eyewear retailer, has updated its employee style guide to allow all religious symbols, including bindis and kalawas, after backlash over a previous version that permitted hijabs but banned bindis. The company emphasized inclusivity and apologized for any confusion caused.
- 01Lenskart's updated style guide now permits all religious symbols for employees.
- 02The previous guide faced backlash for allowing hijabs but banning bindis and other symbols.
- 03CEO Peyush Bansal apologized for the confusion and clarified the company's stance on religious expression.
- 04Lenskart emphasized its commitment to inclusivity and Indian cultural roots.
- 05Despite the update, some criticism remains regarding the adequacy of the apology.
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Lenskart, an eyewear retailer based in India, faced significant backlash after its older style guide restricted employees from wearing bindis and religious threads while allowing hijabs. The controversy prompted Lenskart's founder and CEO, Peyush Bansal, to disown the outdated document and apologize for the confusion it caused. In response to customer feedback, Lenskart released an updated style guide on April 18, which now explicitly allows all religious symbols, including bindi, tilak, and kalawa, alongside hijabs and turbans. The company expressed its commitment to inclusivity, stating that it welcomes the diverse identities and traditions of its employees. However, some critics argue that the company's apology was insufficient and did not adequately address the initial mistake. Lenskart reiterated its dedication to maintaining a workplace that honors the cultural and religious expressions of its team members.
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The updated style guide fosters a more inclusive work environment, allowing employees to express their cultural and religious identities, which may enhance employee morale and customer relations.
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