DLF Retail ED feels patience will help bosses sail through tough times

Pushpa Bector, Executive Director, DLF Retail has the corporate office located at DLF Phase 3, Gurugram and she has been commuting in her own car.

"After weeks of working in isolation, returning to the office and interacting face-to-face with my team was an absolute refreshing experience. The energy, warmth and positivity only reassured that this too shall pass," she told ET Panache.

DLF as an organisation has strict safety protocols to ensure the well-being of all employees. "With a dynamic shift into a world of new normal, my first day back at the office after an elongated period of working from home was reassuring and very comforting. With all safety protocols being thoroughly practiced, the apprehensions of resuming work at the office were next to negligible," Bector said.


Rules followed
Bector has ensured that their workplace follows all requisite safety protocols that include screening measures at the entry points, working with a limited number of employees, and social distancing norms. Wearing a mask is mandatory for everyone. They are closely monitoring and checking up on the health of all our employees. Furthermore, they have implemented a systematic sanitisation process within the office premises.

"I would say getting back to work wasn’t mentally straining for me. Thanks to technology, we have been working closely with our teams ever since the lockdown began. I witnessed better efficiency and collaboration among our team members. The only difference was the physical presence and so returning back to work only made us stronger together," Bector shared.

New routine
She has not faced any challenge with working in the office. At DLF, they are very fortunate to have colleagues who are agile, adaptive with a vision to succeed and have accelerated themselves in adapting to new technologies to be able to work collaboratively with their teams.

To ensure safety amidst the unprecedented situation, the company has incorporated all necessary changes to maintain social distancing norms.

"Our focus has always been employee safety. And for everyone’s convenience our office timings have been made flexible and need based. A roster between two teams – Team A and team B has also been put in place for all employees to follow and visit the office on alternate days. Needless to say, we are abiding by the directives to ensure their health and well-being is taken care of," she said.

Slow start
Bector advices other bosses to be patient and empathetic. "This is a very challenging time for us and our employees alike, but one can only overcome the same if we work together as a team and encourage each other at every step. The world post this pandemic will be different and this has brought with it a change with the way companies will now look at the work ecosystem," she said.

Bector describes coming back to office as returning to her power centre. "This is where I draw my energies from. Adapting to a new normal and getting back to the office and to our DLF Malls with all the safety and hygiene protocols in place has ensured that everyone feels secure and confident. People are our biggest assets and supporting them in these times of crisis is paramount. We are doing our best to protect the physical and mental well-being of our employees, for them to take care of themselves. And ensuring a safe environment for our customers coming to all DLF Malls and providing them the best experience of shopping," she ended.