At what point in your life did you decide to take up HR as your career? What were the guiding / motivating factors?

Being Software Professional I went for Interview in VSNL – Tata Indicom for Technical position. There I was inspired to start my career as HR Recruiter, and I was offered to be a part of the Recruitment Team. And yes, my HR career took the flight. People management is what gave me the kick

HR is one practice that touches human lives directly. Do you think employers and specially HR Professional can play role in reducing stress levels of employees through various employee engagement initiatives?

Yes. No doubt in that. Various initiatives of employee engagement, Outbound Trainings, creating a mini recreation zone which acts as a stress buster. Organization which realises this have a very low attrition rate due to high rate of employee being satisfaction

What are some of the most important employee engagement initiatives related to Music, Art, Dance or Sports that you have taken in your career?

I had initiated Yoga which was a routine for 2 year. It was conducted every Wednesday and Friday for the all employees for healthy living. This was done in all the regional offices and we had a very good response. Even we witnessed Top management to be a part of the Yoga session which motivated the other employees. Zumba was also introduced as a stress buster programme

Do you think time and cost for employee engagements are an investment for the organisation and can help in multi-fold returns?

Yes. healthy and satisfied employee is a gateway to organization growth with ease. Until you invest, you cannot expect returns

Do you feel there is a need even to reach out to the family of employees so that they get better connected to the company? Have you undertaken any such initiative in your past or current organization?

Yes. In my past organization at factory level, during Diwali festival we had kept a Puja followed by various family sports which had kids, spouse and other family members participating. Also, Gynaecologist session was kept for women hygiene knowledge sharing for Tribal workforce. This gave a tremendous applaud to the HR team as this initiative was the first time in the 20 years history of the organization

What is the one change that you would like to bring in HR practice that has potential to boost employees work-life balance?

“Whale Done Approach” should be introduced as a Leadership Training to cascade better work environment among team members. Skip Level Meeting is also essential for all the organization to identify the gaps and dissolve biasness helpful in boosting work life balance

What are your personal interests in Music, Art, Dance or Sports and how do you continue to pursue it?

Trekking and Adventure trail is what keeps me going. Try to have some fun over the Weekends but yes at time it gets difficult keeping in mind other challenges.

Any other thoughts you may want to share

HR is the face for the organization and also for the employee – Old or New. The time has gone where HR Dept was treated as Back Office. Hence the HR professionals must adhere to that change and shape accordingly for effective contribution and well-being of the Organization