The pandemic has forced business owners and people leaders to adjust their lenses to build resilience and sharpen the focus on the holistic wellbeing of their employees. A recent survey shows that 62% of employees were willing to consider a lower salary in exchange for better benefits.
BW People has successfully concluded a day-long virtual CEO & CHRO Conclave 2021 in association with Randstad India marking its 4-year completion of existence. Thought leaders, change-makers, and lead CHROs have joined the panel discussion from across the industries to propound over the topic “Shaping the employee wellbeing and fostering resilience” and this panel was chaired by Ruhail Amin, Senior Editor, BW Businessworld.
Pandemic brought in a mindset change. Highlighting the importance of maintaining the work outcome even in these emotionally tiring times; Julie Sachde, Director HR, JW Mariott states, “The time is such that while productivity is important but equally important is the employees’ emotional stability.” Sachde went on to explain about the recently started employee wellbeing initiative “Take Care” which is meant to address the diverse issues of associates in a wholesome manner.
“Wellbeing is not just physical and mental, it’s about how we integrate our work and family life,” quoted Vishpala Reddy, Head of HR, Indian Subcontinent at Phillips while discussing how the current environment of hybrid working is pushing HR leaders to rethink and reframe wellbeing programs and policies. “I tell HR team, to look after others, you need to look after yourself,” Reddy further adds.
How do we bring empathy into action through compassion was a challenge all the managers were working around. ‘As the second wave hit whole focus moved on to attain peace of mind, checking on employee wellbeing and managing this without hampering the business continuity,” explains Anjali Raghuvanshi, Chief People Officer, Randstad India while opening up about the real-ground challenges faced by HR leaders in order to keep the organization gets going. She added, “Mindfulness and relieving employees of stress is a rising trend.”
Agreeing with Raghuvanshi on respecting the boundaries of an individual’s work and life; Sadhydeep Puri, CPO, Sapphire Foods highlighted a significant point and said, “Sensitizing teams that ‘we are there for them’ is needed for building confidence.” Furthermore, she explains that business agendas haven’t been much affected as an ample amount of time was provided for employee rejuvenation.
Suchismita Burman, CHRO, ITC Infotech mentions, “Our Indian homes are not designed for work from home and this affects wellbeing.” To enable employees to maintain their emotional quotient, HR leaders and managers shall continue to be more empathetic and accepting in nature, she explains.
People have gone through immense emotional turbulence that has increased individual’s resilience, HR leaders will continue to align resilience with offering more emotional stability and sensitivity. While concluding the discussion everyone on the panel was optimistic and shared their favorite “Me Time” activity that helps to rejuvenate themselves. In the end, Anjali Raghuvanshi emphasized and said, “Create a bubble of love to cope, recharge and then come back,”
Source: bwpeople.businessworld.in
