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

Being a student of psychology, I was interested in human behaviour dynamics. I always wanted to work in Corporate world. Hence decided to be HR professional so that I can use knowledge of human behaviour.

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 can play a pivotal role in employee engagement thereby helping employees have work life balance. Various initiatives to know pulse of employees, factors that motivate them, to maintain health, mental wellbeing go a long way in reducing stress levels of employees.

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

Forming Sports committee of employees.
Formulating Sports calendar.
Conducting programs as per Sports calendar.
Musical as well as dance Idols.
Poster competitions.        

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

One of the key factors in Employee retention is employee engagement. Better engaged employees are likely to be more productive, more positive and hence more likely to be retained in the Organization. They also act as brand ambassadors for the organization. Hence time and cost for employee engagements are an investment for the organisation and can help in 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?

Reaching out to family of employees and involving them always helps. Some of the initiatives takes are: Thanking families of all employees by a card and Thank you message on occasion of International Family day.
Organization of Family Day in office.
Picnic with family.

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

Taking into account the changing composition of workforce and ever-changing business scenario, HR needs to be bring more agility in all HR process. A dedicated taskforce needs to study changing personal and professional needs of employees and work on aligning HR processes quickly. This should be a continuous process. This proactive approach will address many HR challenges like employee morale, disengagement, low productivity, attrition etc.

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

I am trained Hindustani Classical singer. I listen to music whenever I get time e.g. while travelling, in leisure time etc.
I try and practice whenever I can and do participate in functions as well as competitions.