India Inc goes out of the way for staff safety after Mumbai blasts
The terror attacks in Mumbai on Wednesday triggered a round of advisories by companies like Hindustan Unilever (HUL), Essar, Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) to their employees, ascertaining their safety.
By TNN | Updated:
MUMBAI/BANGALORE: The terror attacks in Mumbai on Wednesday triggered a round of advisories by companies like Hindustan Unilever (HUL), Essar, Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) to their employees, ascertaining their safety. While most companies issued email alerts, P&G's crisis communication system, which was installed last year, kicked in immediately after the blasts. Under the system, which is automatic in nature, every employee of P&G received an SMS, an email alert and a call from the centre to ensure their safety. An automated voice gave easy options to employees over the phone which they could choose from in case they needed any help.
Macquarie India also sent an email advisory to its employees on Wednesday, which was followed up by text messages and in certain cases phone calls to confirm their safety. "Following the explosions in Mumbai, we are in the process of ensuring all staff are safe and accounted for. Please respond 'yes' if you are safe," the message read. The advisory was against travel until further notice. It asked employees to remain indoors.
Wipro too sent out an advisory to its employees, which asked them to factor in delays at airports and traffic in case they were travelling. It also warned them to take note of suspicious individuals, vehicle movements or unattended baggage. Dirk Lewis, spokesperson for Wipro Technologies, said, "We have reached out to all our employees in Mumbai and are doing all we can to ensure their safety'."
Though the Aditya Birla Group did not send out an advisory, it does have a robust system of tracking its people during crisis. "We have a system of tracking our senior managers and can reach them for help in the fastest possible time. Similarly, employees can get in touch with our system and the system does the rest," said Santrupt Misra, director-HR, Aditya Birla Group.
Describing the procedure of its crisis management team, Adil Malia, group president, human resources, Essar Group, said the first thing they did was to get in touch with the police to take stock. "Many employees had left by then while others were still working in office. We conveyed the message to our employees not to venture out of office and to inform their families about their safety." During the 2008 attacks, as many as 700 employees of Essar stayed back in office. The group also has a 24/7 "Ask HR" service, a toll free number on which employees can call when required.
Likewise, HUL sent out an advisory to all employees residing in Mumbai or travelling to Mumbai. The company checked on the safety of all employees through mailers issued on Wednesday evening and on Thursday as well. Mahindra & Mahindra was no different. "Email updates have been sent to all employees on the situation on ground and to keep them informed. They have been asked to take precaution and given instructions on what routes to avoid while travelling," said an M&M spokesperson.
Macquarie India also sent an email advisory to its employees on Wednesday, which was followed up by text messages and in certain cases phone calls to confirm their safety. "Following the explosions in Mumbai, we are in the process of ensuring all staff are safe and accounted for. Please respond 'yes' if you are safe," the message read. The advisory was against travel until further notice. It asked employees to remain indoors.
Wipro too sent out an advisory to its employees, which asked them to factor in delays at airports and traffic in case they were travelling. It also warned them to take note of suspicious individuals, vehicle movements or unattended baggage. Dirk Lewis, spokesperson for Wipro Technologies, said, "We have reached out to all our employees in Mumbai and are doing all we can to ensure their safety'."
Though the Aditya Birla Group did not send out an advisory, it does have a robust system of tracking its people during crisis. "We have a system of tracking our senior managers and can reach them for help in the fastest possible time. Similarly, employees can get in touch with our system and the system does the rest," said Santrupt Misra, director-HR, Aditya Birla Group.
Describing the procedure of its crisis management team, Adil Malia, group president, human resources, Essar Group, said the first thing they did was to get in touch with the police to take stock. "Many employees had left by then while others were still working in office. We conveyed the message to our employees not to venture out of office and to inform their families about their safety." During the 2008 attacks, as many as 700 employees of Essar stayed back in office. The group also has a 24/7 "Ask HR" service, a toll free number on which employees can call when required.
Likewise, HUL sent out an advisory to all employees residing in Mumbai or travelling to Mumbai. The company checked on the safety of all employees through mailers issued on Wednesday evening and on Thursday as well. Mahindra & Mahindra was no different. "Email updates have been sent to all employees on the situation on ground and to keep them informed. They have been asked to take precaution and given instructions on what routes to avoid while travelling," said an M&M spokesperson.
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