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

My Grandfather was a tailor, our customer base were workers from Mills, over a period Mills were shut down, eventually we lost our customers.
What happened to these workers, what about rights to their social benefits, did the unions fail them? Such social and economic factors moved me to study IR from one of the premier institutes “Maharashtra Institute of Labour Studies”. Over years HR became my passion. This passion led me to complete my Research in Human Resources in “An Analysis of Accelerating Productivity Through Employee Engagement”.

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?

An employee spends most of his/her day in office. “Office is your second home” is a true realization. Policies play a crucial role in shaping emotional essence of an employee at workplace. 
HR is an enabler of culture and policies, which create a win-win situation at workplace, the ethos of the policies and the environment helps to control stress levels at workplace. Emotional wellness of Employees, work life balance, having a matured matrix of SOPs and approach, a diluted honey comb of coordinates where Leader is more approachable are new engagement initiatives for HR professionals.

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

Music, Art, Dance or Sports are best stress busters.
In Orient Technologies we have Annual Day celebrations. A day, all employees look forward to. Potential of employees in various capacities is surfaced during the preparations of this event. Management understands the importance of Engaging the employees. 

From organizing sports events like cricket or football matches to increase team bonding, to organizing dance and arts competitions to increase competitiveness in employees, I have taken many initiatives. I feel having these activities once in a while work as a great stress buster, bring out potential of the employees and also help develop the behavioural competencies.
 

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

Co-Curricular passions bring out the most enhanced economic value as they are charged with development of 
1)    Leadership
2)    Enhanced Communication skills
3)    Decision making
4)    Cooperate/Team Building
5)    Better time Management
6)    Provides stress relief
7)    Develops self esteem
8)    Re discover your self

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?

As I stated early “Office is your second home” this hassle-free transaction would not have been achieved if families of employees were not involved or a work life balance was not achieved. Policies are tailored keeping in mind the extended family of our organization. 
Events where employees were facilitated in presence of family members brings a bond with an organization. My organization had understood this long back and have organised events where families were involved.

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

Wish List:
1)    Virtual Office
2)    Rid of PMS
3)    Weekly pay model…list is long
 

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

Music & Sports are my personal interest areas.
I am a fan of Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik Songs.
I like Football, Test Match; I can be glued to watch Test Match for all three sessions. 
I follow Ranji Matches. 
If a Test Match is at Mumbai irrespective of Ranji or International I hardly miss it.  
Mumbai is my favourite IPL team.