PERKS PRESSURE

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE MONEY ANYMORE FOR EMPLOYEES. FROM FOUR-DAY WORK WEEKS, TO SKILLING ON THE JOB AND MENTAL WELL-BEING EXERCISES, COMPANIES ARE OFFERING A HOST OF BENEFITS TO RETAIN TOP TALENT. IS THIS ENOUGH? 

- RICHA SHARMA & SURABHI

NOT SO LONG AGO, the ideal workplace was one that offered a competitive salary. Not anymore. The increasing proportion of younger millennial and Gen Z employees now look beyond financial comforts and demand a more holistic work life that gives them time to enjoy other pursuits and the chance to learn on the job.

Over the past four years, the workplace has seen huge shifts necessitated by the pandemic, which has made remote working the norm. These changes have also forced recruiters at most Indian firms to tweak policies as they look to match up to the ambitions of younger employees and retain talent.

Once seen as western concepts, hybrid work, a more inclusive and equitable work culture, and, more importantly, a focus on upskilling employees to keep pace with technological advancements (like artificial intelligence and machine learning) and leadership courses are now becoming an integral part of the HR talent hunt modules.

There is also more investment in office infrastructure and parking facilities, four-day work weeks for employees who meet their targets ahead of schedule, and reworking rewards and recognitions for longserving employees.

In fact, these are some of the innovative strategies being taken up by the top firms in this year’s BTTaggd survey of The Best Companies To Work For in India.