1. Cover column
Breaking The Monotony
Q. How significant is it to mix Such initiatives help employees know amongst employees who come from
business with fun? each other outside the work, thus creat- different background, departments and
A. It is true that when leaders create ing a new bond with one another. positions, we have regular initiatives to
a fun workplace, there is a significant engage people into discussions.
increase in the level of employees’ trust, Q. What can be the probable dif- Employee engagement programmes
creativity, communication and produc- ficulties faced by the HR while seek to build a partnership between the
Neelam Gill Malhotra tivity. This ultimately results in higher implementing fun strategies? employees and HR. This is an important
(Vice-President – HR, morale and enhanced performance and A. Participation of all employees is the platform where employees are updated
CSC India) shares that a sense of belongingness to the organi- biggest challenge for HR department on the organisation and the industry
engaging employees in sation. Going back to school days when while implementing any fun strategy. developments. Employees also share
activities helps spread all of us had a lot of work, assignments There is a very thin line between hav- their concerns and post their ideas in
positive energy within and examinations, we looked up to be- ing fun and making fun. This line, if form of suggestions which can be re-
the organisation and ing at school every day. This attraction crossed by employees, dissolves the lated to policy improvement, process
improves productivity and appeal to be at school vanished whole purpose of fun activity. There improvement, sharing of best employer
when we started working and became are some people who are introvert and practices etc. All managers are required
Sanghamitra Khan professionals. The reason for this transi- do not like to be dragged into loud ac- to support this initiative. HR also shares
tion is that, at school we used to have tivities. It can be perceived as forced the feedback with managers on the in-
fun. However, today’s organisational fun by some people. puts received from employees.
Q. What kind of programmes do culture and over pressurised lives have Well-planned timeline is also impor-
you have in place at CSC India driven us to a point where happiness tant as some people have fear of los- Q. Is it important to have a chief
to make it a fun and interesting to work is just a concept. ing production and at times there is no happiness officer in the organi-
place to work? support from the immediate managers. sation? How different can be the
A. CSC has always believed in creating Q. How can fun programmes be This further inhibits team members function from that of the HR?
a conducive environment for its employ- implemented by organisations
ees. We believe in a workplace where
employees can engage and participate
so as to retain the seriousness
of work at the workplace?
When leaders create a fun workplace,
in fun activities which can help in build- A. When work becomes enjoyment it there is a significant increase in the
ing a team of engaged professionals.
These initiatives help our employees
does not stay work anymore. It becomes
a pleasurable endeavour that multiplies
level of employee’s trust, creativity,
and they look forward to coming to energy, and hence, productivity. communication and productivity
work every day. Fun-at-work initiatives Fun at work helps individuals to deal
at CSC are driven by the HR and held at with stress which is synonymous with from participating. Sometimes, there A. We have employee engagement
a central corporate level, global level, the work culture nowadays. It increases can be problems like budget constraints teams and personnel working towards
and location or vertical level. employees’ ability to deal with stress while planning an outdoor activity. the same. They are in charge of em-
We have a three-month long cultural on the job and to remain flexible, cre- Apart, there are a lot of people who ployee engagement that includes all fun
festival Samskruthi, which is celebrated ative and innovative under pressure, do not believe the necessity of fun ac- activities as well. They are under the
pan-India. During this celebration, em- and also helps in building a strong cor- tivities and consider that there is an umbrella of HR, but have well-defined
ployees participate in various cultural porate culture. Fun at work is equally inconsistency between professionalism job profile with proper events calendar,
and fun activities. Besides, some of the important for the HR as it decreases and an enjoyable work culture. planning, strategy, budget and expected
initiatives at CSC are sports competi- the level of absenteeism and increases outcomes in place at the beginning of
tions, ethnic day, rangoli competition, job satisfaction. Q. How can organisations deal the year.
cultural nights and team outings. Fun activities include a number of with a diverse workforce at the
sports, team-building measures and time of planning fun activities Q. Do employees belonging to
Objective behind these initia- also conducting meetings at places within organisation? different levels view fun activi-
tives: which are not inside close-walled offic- A. We think, communication is the key ties in different way?
• To engage employees in activities es. Sports, at times, have helped many to bringing different people together. A. It is bound to happen as they fall
which help spread positive energy organisations in building team which CSC has an employee base where we in different categories, qualification,
within the organisation. puts effort in collaborated manner. The have people from across geographies. background, experience and priorities.
• To engage people in different team experiences of such activities start re- There is vibrant, cultural and social It is the HR department which organises
building actives to help them develop flecting in the day-to-day functioning of diversity at our organisation. It is im- certain activities to make their initiative
a level of comfort with their peers employees along with their perception portant for an organisation as a whole have positive impact.
and bosses. towards work. Outdoor weekend get- that this diversity becomes a vital team Fun activities are a matter of serious
• To help breaking the monotony at away and collective adventurous activi- bonding factor. planning, targeting and approach so
work. ties are vital team-building measures. In order to build strong bonds that there is no ambiguity. t
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40 The Human factor June 2012 June 2012 The Human factor 41