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

My boss in the accounts department refused to give me increment because he felt girls don’t need increment because they will get married; and boys need because they have to look after a family. I found this unfair and decided to change my tracks.

In the first month of my new role as HR Executive, I enjoyed interviewing candidates, taking their written test, coordinating for their ESI membership form. I felt that it was very noble work, helping people and there starts a journey.

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?

Of course. 
You see the first and foremost human need is to connect with each other. Connection helps in building community, which provide the framework for teamwork which is the glue for organization to achieve its purpose.
Employee engagement brings people together, gains their commitment to helping each other, for a particular purpose and have fun. I believe teams that have fun together stay together. People may change jobs, but their hearts will be one. 
Fun@work ensures people turn up for work the next day, learn whatever they need to without it becoming a big deal.
 

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 organized such initiatives at FT. So much I have done – Rangoli, Traditional costume, cricket match, Picnic, talks by well-known people, etc. which built great teamwork. Mostly these were related to Music & Dance And games, as they are easier to organize.
At Gabriel also, as my first job, I organized a cricket match. 
In HR College, as professor, I used to organize contests around branding, packaging.  
I also use Music & Dance in my training program as it helps people to absorb the learning without any pain.  People remember the joyful and the painful lessons.
 

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

I do agree – it helps people let go off their frustrations, anger and disappointment. Leads to mental & emotional wellness. That is the best state in which to work.
But it is not enough to have your hobbies at home; even at the workplace having the space to incorporate the real world for e.g. gardening will help us understand the impact of our work on the environment. Inside the office the atmosphere is so artificial we begin to treat life like that. But that is not so. Life is outside … in the real world. Bringing the outside in, is what makes work impact lives.
 

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 at Financial Technologies, we used to have picnic with family. To a certain extent it is ok, because company must understand the importance family holds. Somewhere a line has to be drawn. The work must not interfere with the family time. That way I like the UAE. Fri. & Sat nobody is allowed to make official calls. Similarly work between 8 am to 5 pm. Indian companies must remember that they are paying for 8 hours of a person’s time, not 24 hours. That is 1 change I have made in my thinking. This is the best panacea for overall employee health. 

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

Make work interdisciplinary – use artistic, creative, dance and theatre tools at work. MS – Excel is not the answer to all business solutions. The solutions lie in people’s head and hearts. Give them paint brush, pen, costumes, the real world to put the solution out there.

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

I listen to Music, read, draw (sometimes). Creative work like embroidery I do every day, I enjoy it and make gifts for friends & family. Walks & of course writing daily!!! 
Am planning to learn boxing.
 

Any other thoughts you may want to share.

These hobbies play a crucial role in skill development therefore important than any training for which company needs to spend.