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

It was in the year 2008, when I was already working with a start-up. It was a Talent Managing firm, I wasn’t a master graduated in HR back then but still adapted it very well and decided to pursue a career and studies in HR and I competed my masters in HR in 2011.

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?

There are various initiatives our company takes. Like for example we reward a silver trophy to those who have completed ten years in our organisation. We organise internal workshops where employees brush up and enhances their skills related to their work. Every activity brings out productivity of an employee and they feel much attached towards the company and they stay longer.

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 organise couple of annual events, but ‘Inbox’ is where all the employees gets a platform to showcase their talents in sports, singing and dancing. it’s a two-and-a-half-day event held every year in the month of Feb.

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

It is indeed an investment from the organisation and its returns are clearly visible when majority of your employees are with you for more than 5 years and more. We still have people who are a part since the inception of the company, so this is what the return we get.

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, we do celebrate family day in our office. We also arrange a small competition, workshops for employees’ kids and it is really fun.

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

Not every organisation follows a similar culture of employees’ work life balance. For example, my company encourages people to go on holidays, take breaks and spend necessary time with family. Some organisations don’t pursue such culture, they are very strong at not granting leaves and continuously making employees work 24/7. In India, the overall work culture is still not that great and this is the change we need across industries.

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

My personal interest in MADS is in Music and Sports. I have been a part of my company’s cricket for twice. Once I have performed on stage in a dance competition and I have also recorded some of my own songs.

Any other thoughts you want to share.

Where I work currently has made me come really closer to MADS as we usually organise various activities for the employees and it is a great thing to practise them in the workplaces as this really helps to disconnect from work and helps them get refreshed and come back to work with much more enthusiasm.