India Inc to staff: Take a day off and vote

MUMBAI: Recently, the "CEO" addressed employees of ADP India, the captive unit of the $11-billion outsourcer. Unlike other times and other CEOs, this one was invited to handle queries on a different kind of target and business strategy.

The "strategy" was to nudge employees into participating in an event that is potentially a turning point for the country's economy: the 16th Lok Sabha elections. The "target" was to encourage them to vote and provide clarity on the process of voting and making informed choices.

The CEO was the "chief electoral officer".

With its future hinging on the poll outcome, India Inc is doing its bit to ensure that employees - a sizable chunk of the electorate - exercise their franchise. Besides making provisions for them to get registered as voters, companies are even offering incentives such as a day off and felicitations. After all, the general elections are not just being keenly followed by corporate bigwigs in India, but also by those abroad.

For long branded "dormant" as far as the country's political processes go, it looks like the Indian educated professional has woken up in time for this edition of India's five-yearly celebration of democracy.

With healthy signs of their enthusiasm for electoral politics, employees are being encouraged by the government as well as by organizations to vote. Companies are creating awareness about the need to exercise their franchise and are also keeping them informed of important election dates using various online and offline platforms.

Leaves and half days are being extended specifically for this purpose. "We aim to motivate and encourage our human capital to become a participant and contributor in the democratic processes," said Ashok Reddy, president-global HR and corporate affairs, Infotech Enterprises. The company employs over 8,000 people.

Aptech, for instance, has formally and informally spread poll awareness and the importance of casting vote among employees. The computer training company will provide half-a-day's paid leave to its staff on polling day. Life insurer Aviva is offering an optional day off to outstation employees to travel home to vote. Thomas Cook India is offering flexi hours.

Some organizations plan to reward units with the highest voter percentage. "This year we have introduced a novelty wherein the location with the highest voting percentage will be felicitated," said Kuoni India MD Rajeev Wagle.

In the build-up to the poll race, sectors such as IT and ITeS that have a considerable number of young employees had rolled out initiatives to ensure their registration. A huge chunk of global legal outsourcer Integreon Managed Services' workforce falls in the age bracket of 25-26 years. There were many who hadn't registered themselves with the Election Commission. Several had never voted before. The company noticed the problem and organized a centralized registration drive.

While India Inc is making all efforts to encourage their employees to vote, the stock markets, too, seem to be rallying in anticipation. It looks like India Inc has found a second Muhurat to spark a bull run. Time to bring out those mithais?