Cyrus Mistry's big ticket HR initiatives may be put on hold

MUMBAI: The HR initiatives rolled out across Tata Group may be put on hold until there is more clarity on what the new management wants. In the past year, the group — under Cyrus Mistry and chief human resources officer NS Rajan — had rolled out a series of initiatives for their over six lakh employees.

These programmes included – a new competency framework to identify their next rung of leaders; long term incentive plans via stock options; a task force of its CEOs and CXOs to mentor their next line of leaders; and finally the 18 parameters for Tata Quality of Life framework.

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"We have been told to wait and watch for some time before implementing parameters that will help the company reach its target under Tata Quality of Life (TQML) framework," said a senior HR leader of one of the Tata companies who did not wish to be named.

Tata Sons did not respond to an email sent from ET on the same.

A senior leader of an advisory firm that works with the group on HR said he was told all bills for work done till now had to be cleared till more clarity on further assignments. "Practically, some changes brought in were good and there is no reason to stop them. But the new management will have to take a call if they need to continue," said the senior leader of the advisory firm who too did not want to be named.

The group, which works as an advisor to Tata companies had suggested that they adopt a long term incentive plan to retain their senior managers. According to sources, some of the group companies had adopted long term incentive plans. But whether others will go ahead remains uncertain.

"This is a normal response when leadership styles change. Some policies may be retained, while others removed," said a HR veteran, who preferred to remain anonymous.