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

During my education, I saw many youngsters struggling for a job after completing their degree courses and wanted to help them with jobs to help them build a career and meet their family’s financial needs. Getting into HR was the best way to serve the society. It gives me great inner satisfaction when I could provide job to a needy and deserving candidate.

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?

HR is like a mother to an organization. It’s important for us to understand the pulse of employees. Through an effective employee engagement program, we play a crucial role in managing employee’s stress level & boost his morale. It not only improves his productivity but also develop a sense of ownership & commitment in him.

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 have spearheaded an Annual Sports Event in my previous organizations which offered wide range of indoor and outdoor sport activities to employees as per their choices, covering 90% employees. It was concluded after 3 months of fun filled activities with a grand ceremony entailing Prize distribution & a cultural event where employees showcased their dance performances.

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

Companies with highly engaged employees experience 2x higher net income than companies with poor engagement scores. Highly engaged employees are 87 percent less likely to leave the organization. 
The most-engaged workplaces experienced the following performance metrics:
2X higher customer loyalty
2X higher productivity
2X lower turnover
Hence, it’s obvious that an organization must invest time and cost for employee engagement initiatives for multi fold 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, it is very important to connect the family of employee with the value system of the organization. They are the ones who support employee to sail through thick and thins of organization and encourage for a long-term commitment. I had organized ‘Family Day’ functions in my previous organizations, where families of employees are invited to office. They are welcomed by senior management, taken through facility tour, shown a presentation about company’s business and growth and engaged in some games and other fun activities accompanied by lunch along with other office colleagues & their families. This makes their approach & trust steadier towards organization and they whole heartedly support their family member (employee) to do level best in all the endeavours.

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

There is a need to introduce and exercise ‘Work from Home’ concept for employees once in a month during their time of need, for a specific duration. This will help them meeting their family’s expectations better and at the same time, won’t hamper the business needs.

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

Dance is always my passion and I always wanted to learn it the professional way but due to scarcity of time, it couldn’t happen. So, whenever I am with myself, I love to dance.

Any other thoughts you may want to share.

While planning and to-do lists are essential for effective time management, no day turn out exactly as you planned it. Something almost always seems to come up unexpectedly to derail your efforts. It’s just as important to be flexible, as it is to be focussed about getting things done.
Flexibility allows you to make the best use of everything and at the same time enjoy everything that the day brings. So, why not be flexible, adapt to the situation and adjust your to do list to the changing priorities?