Fun at work is serious business
A cool work culture is no longer the bastion of startups or ad agencies. HR initiatives across companies are loosening up to keep pace with younger employees.
By Biprorshee Das, ET Bureau | Updated:
A cool work culture is no longer the bastion of startups, ad agencies or the global IT bellwethers. Traditional companies in India are now opening up to quirkier offices to appeal to a young workforce.
IT Company Ramco Systems, for example, reckons that some of its initiatives make it among the most fun workplaces in the country. Virender Aggarwal, CEO, Ramco Systems says that it was the millennials who ushered in a break from tradition.
Aggarwal leads by example. He fines himself $100 (Rs 6,254 approx.) if he fails to answer an employee's phone call in the first two rings. If you are having coffee at Ramco and happen to add extra sugar in it, you will have to pay a fine of Rs 1,000. Aggarwal admits to have paid around $1,000 (Rs 62,544 approx.) so far in fines. General managers and other senior members also serve coffee in the cafeteria for an hour.
"We take up these initiatives to attract the brightest people and bring down attrition. We want to be seen as cool. We have swings in our offices. In fact, some of our clients have also liked our ideas and incorporated it for themselves," he says.
Logistics Company, Gati, adopts a similar school of thought. "Fifty five per cent of our employees were born after 1980. This population will only increase. Engaging with them is important," says J Subramanian, Chief Group HR, Gati.
"We are increasingly open to concepts like sabbaticals and embracing new technologies. Even, our compensation structure is designed to accommodate more cash in hand," adds Subramanian. Some firms have done away with long meetings. "The younger workforce does not like long meetings. They are more tech savvy, used to quick decisions and like informality," says Mervyn Raphael , MD, People Business. But he is quick to caution that realignment of company policies for a 'cool quotient' should not come at the cost of business.
It is evident across organisations how flat hierarchy and inclusive policies have led to a happy workforce. "We take our employees out of their chairs to join yoga or hit the dance f loor occasionally. Beyond a point, salary and promotions don't matter. Whether you feel at home at work will," says Armaan Chaudhary, Head HR, Emaar MGF.
A teambuilding activity session at Emaar MGF
IT Company Ramco Systems, for example, reckons that some of its initiatives make it among the most fun workplaces in the country. Virender Aggarwal, CEO, Ramco Systems says that it was the millennials who ushered in a break from tradition.
Aggarwal leads by example. He fines himself $100 (Rs 6,254 approx.) if he fails to answer an employee's phone call in the first two rings. If you are having coffee at Ramco and happen to add extra sugar in it, you will have to pay a fine of Rs 1,000. Aggarwal admits to have paid around $1,000 (Rs 62,544 approx.) so far in fines. General managers and other senior members also serve coffee in the cafeteria for an hour.
"We take up these initiatives to attract the brightest people and bring down attrition. We want to be seen as cool. We have swings in our offices. In fact, some of our clients have also liked our ideas and incorporated it for themselves," he says.
Logistics Company, Gati, adopts a similar school of thought. "Fifty five per cent of our employees were born after 1980. This population will only increase. Engaging with them is important," says J Subramanian, Chief Group HR, Gati.
"We are increasingly open to concepts like sabbaticals and embracing new technologies. Even, our compensation structure is designed to accommodate more cash in hand," adds Subramanian. Some firms have done away with long meetings. "The younger workforce does not like long meetings. They are more tech savvy, used to quick decisions and like informality," says Mervyn Raphael , MD, People Business. But he is quick to caution that realignment of company policies for a 'cool quotient' should not come at the cost of business.
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It is evident across organisations how flat hierarchy and inclusive policies have led to a happy workforce. "We take our employees out of their chairs to join yoga or hit the dance f loor occasionally. Beyond a point, salary and promotions don't matter. Whether you feel at home at work will," says Armaan Chaudhary, Head HR, Emaar MGF.
A teambuilding activity session at Emaar MGF Download
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Text: Anumeha Chaturvedi, ET Bureau
While you may think you're hard at work and have plenty to keep you busy, your manager thinks otherwise.
Stating the obvious can often be perceived as being work shy or insubordinate, but a well chalked-out discussion can help get the point across.
While you may think you're hard at work and have plenty to keep you busy, your manager thinks otherwise.
Stating the obvious can often be perceived as being work shy or insubordinate, but a well chalked-out discussion can help get the point across.
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