Top 5 Indian Companies Revisiting Employee-Wellness Strategies Amid Covid-19 Outbreak

Amidst the global pandemic, most companies have been adapting to a lockdown hit India by finding all workable solutions to ensure most of their workforce remains active. This stands true especially for the corporate and IT industry which does not necessitate field work and connectivity becomes the lifeline for such organizations. However, in a space-crunch affected Indian homes and residential spaces, not every employee has the luxury to have a room or home office along with the associated challenges of working when the whole family is together.  In line with the current situation Indian companies are rethinking their employee-wellness strategies and customising programs to accommodate the tectonic change in people’s habits after a prolonged phase of working from home due to the Covid-19 lockdown and are conducting various activities for the employees to adopt simple health measures during this prolonged shutdown to be physically and mentally upbeat.

Here is the list of five top Indian companies revisiting the wellness strategies in the times of coronavirus:

1) The auto major Mahindra has launched a series of activities for the wellbeing of our employees which involves interactive sessions with nutritionists as well as an exercise regime. They are also running a webinar on emotional hygiene as employees work from home. Mahindra is also tying up with external agencies for tips on indoor exercises as they feel despite it being just a few days into the lockdown, it can start taking a toll on employees, sooner than later.

2) Brookfield Properties has launched Positive Pulse, A Wellness Initiative to promote employee health and safety while they work from home during the
lockdown. Under this month-long campaign, Brookfield Properties will be hosting a series of engagement activities, across its Commercial Real Estate portfolios, CandorTechSpace in Gurgaon, Noida and Kolkata; as well as for Powai Business District and Equinox Business Park in Mumbai.  It will be hosting two special webinars - one on Health and another on financial health along with cooking sessions. As well as a virtual skill-based CSR volunteering and rap/jingle contest, thus giving them a reason to stay healthy and entertained, and adding value and balance to the work-life of professionals even when they are away from their workplace. 

3) Johnson & Johnson has rolled out a 'telemedicine program' globally to help the employees and their families with questions about their physical and mental health. They are also encouraged to seek confidential support from counsellors via phone using the J&J employee assistance program (EAP). Maintaining focus on their physical wellbeing is also important and Johnson & Johnson has digital mindfulness tools, virtual fitness sessions, home workout apps, access to health experts and regular knowledge-sharing to ensure their workforce stay motivated, healthy and mindful.

4) Flipkart is encouraging employees across the organization to take a ‘Digital Chai Break’ and guiding them in scheduling their work day. It is also encouraging parents with older children to get them involved in scheduling their priorities for the day and keep them engaged in this regard and believe that this approach will help them balance priorities while working from home.During video meetings, they also encourage the working parents to bring their young kids to greet colleagues, who are more than happy to see them. This is building a strong sense of togetherness.

5) Vedanta is putting employee well-being ahead of productivity issues and offers psychological counselling helplines to people facing anxiety and stress-related problems along with online meditation and fitness sessions to a series of engagement activities  during work for home to keep their employees motivated and engaged.