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

I used to write research work for a lot of documentary films and articles  for Times of India, Pioneer and many other newspapers. We had to collect out paycheques from the Personnel Department what is now being known as the HR Department. I was influenced by the lady who was the in-charge of the Personnel Department. Looking at her proactiveness, I felt that this the kind of work makes the organisation grow. I was 19 at that time and decided to pursue further studies in HR specialization.

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?

Employee Engagements is very vast. It is not only limited to create fun at work, but it is more about creating sense of pride. The organisation and the HR department has to work jointly to build such sense of pride amongst the employees. HR is a facilitative function. If employees are happy then only an HR can become happy. There has to be a sense of pride towards the work without anxiety and other stress issues.

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

We have put up hobby clubs of music, art and culture which is essential. We gave scholarships to people who want to pursue any art or music form. If one is interested to learn guitar, then are we providing that facility to him/her? We provided the similar initiatives to the nurses and medicos so that they can practice their hobby despite of being in a tight schedule.

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

Yes, it is definitely an investment which is progressive and has a long-term vision for employees. Any organisation with short term goals of just earning profits look towards employee engagements as an expenditure whereas the organisations who have grown very far with lot of stability and ethos to them are the ones who invest big time for their employees.

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?

When I was working with the Tatas, we used to organise Family day events and we also invited families in the CSR Projects. Engaging with the families is indeed really helpful to all the organisation.

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

Get out of the rut of completing x numbers of hours compulsorily and focus on to implement more productivity about meeting goals. The culture of late sitting is what I do not appreciate because the employees get burnt out and shelves his/her tenure for about two years and nothing more.

What are your personal interests in Music, Art, Dance or Sports and how do you continue to pursue it?7.What are your personal interests in Music, Art, Dance or Sports and how do you continue to pursue it?

Once in a while I jam and get involved in theatre. I do run, camp and trek. Sports is very much important, and everybody should be in sports.

Any other thoughts you may want to share.

An engaged employee is the one who looks forward to coming to work, respects the organisation even after leaving it and also misses the organisation as an alumnus. Employee Engagements should touch the employees to their core rather than just be a superficial formality of organising Diwali and Christmas celebrations.