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

When I was working as Technical Officer with Armed Forces, I was handed over charge of Administration as well. Made few changes for ease of technical personnel. This yielded to higher results on serviceability. I realised the power of “M – Man” & “M- Motivations” above rest all factors.

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?

I definitely agree. Engagement is considered above the factor of “Compensation & Benefits”. Millennials & those between age group of 25-45 specially need a stress free life. Better the employee and HR relationship and engagement – we see lower the attrition rate.

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

Zumba, Garbha Classes, Sharad Purnima celebration with dance and music, Activity & Hobby (Arts/Story Telling/Sketch Making/Cooking etc).Classes for employees/spouses/children of employees.

Tournaments for Volleyball, Cricket, Chess, Table Tennis were held.

Clubs were formed including employees, their spouses & children for hobbies like Dance, Arts, Sports, Photography, Stage Acting, street plays etc.

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

Employee engagement is definitely an investment. The ROI of successful employee engagement can’t be measured in terms of figures. The vision of HR beyond 2030 will be Employee Engagement era. Successful HR professional will be one, who will “Think Out of Box” on employee engagement practices.

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?

I have experienced the power of family behind employee’s successful career. They have vital role either to send a motivated employee for work or a demotivated employee. My initiatives have taken very good care of families also. This has helped in some critical retention of Talent and once in settling a Long Term Settlement, wherein family forced the Trade Union Leaders to settle at amicable CTC.

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

Proper JD & JR were made based on capability and work life balance of employees. Those who used to stay back – have to get the permission from HR for any extra ordinary deviations for business criticality. If without permission stay – employee has to pay for utilities consumed after working hour.

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

I love Music. Like to here Sufi and Ghazals. These give a lot of concentration. Great admirer of Arts and Sculptures. I play lot of cricket to keep myself fit. This is possible due to maintenance of good Work Life Balance. Formula of “HOT – Home on Time” being followed strictly.

Any other thoughts you may want to share.

Have very “Special Care” for your “Human Capital”. Talent should not flow out. HR to be cautious and watchful at all times. Care and create a platform for Spouses. They need to have interconnections with other spouses. They can share their expertise with each other and can utilize. Even their hobbies and skills can have earning potential and to have a second income at Home. Families are equally important to be engaged and to be kept engaged throughout tenure of the employees.