HR leaders can foster well-being by creating a supportive culture & offering diverse wellness programs
They also focus on prioritising work-life balance and collecting continuous feedback through surveys
By focusing on all-inclusive well-being, an organisation aims to improve and enhance the engagement of its workforce, hoping to create an environment that encourages people to stay with the company rather than seek opportunities elsewhere. With this last piece, we complete the puzzle of 'talent retention through employee well-being' by bringing you successful strategies from top organisations.
How to initiate the all-inclusive well-being of employees?
Initiating the all-inclusive well-being of employees requires a comprehensive approach that addresses various facets of their physical, mental, and emotional health. The strategies employed by HR leaders will help make holistic well-being an impactful approach towards employee engagement and retention.
Adopting Best Practices, Open Culture, Safe Space and Acceptance
“Our Members are at the heart of all people & related policies at Khaitan & Co. We acknowledge the inherent stress of the legal profession, which is why we aim to adopt world-class practices when it comes to the well-being of our members,” said Amar Sinhji, Executive Director of Human Resources at India’s leading law firm - Khaitan & Co. He further explained, “Anchored by ARISE, our DEI initiative, we have implemented a comprehensive approach to proactively address mental health and work-life balance. Our key initiatives include:
“We continuously look for ways to enhance benefits to be globally consistent, inclusive, and market competitive, to meet the evolving needs of employees. Offering programs that support our colleagues is key to BNY Mellon being a leading employer of choice. Recognising the importance of work-life balance, we offer global policies which support our employees in their life moments – including enhanced New Parent Leave, Caregiver Leave and Bereavement Leave, as well as Work From Anywhere, which allows eligible employees to work from certain locations for two weeks each year. In light of the greater focus on mental health, we have built a network of Mental Health Champions (MHCs) who are specially trained employees that advocate for mental health awareness in the workplace, provide supportive listening and direct to more specialised resources like the Employee Assistance Program,” underlined Yash Mohan, Head of People Team of APAC & India at BNY Mellon.
“Ensuring the well-being of our employees is a key priority, and we have proactively implemented initiatives to enhance work-life harmony and mental health,” said Kishore Poduri- Managing Director and Country Head of HR at DBS Bank - India. He added successful initiatives at the bank:
Highlighting the effective strategies at Cleartrip, a company backed by Flipkart, Ajay Sreedhara, Head of HR said, “Our journey is powered by the exceptional contributions of our employees. We have cultivated a startup-like culture, emphasising agility, innovation, and a sense of ownership. The dynamic nature of the tasks at hand keeps our workforce engaged, contributing to a positive work atmosphere that encourages personal and professional growth.” Adding:
Manisha Prasad, Regional Director of Human Resources India & South Asia at CRIF said, “We prioritise work-life balance for employee happiness and productivity. Over the past 2-3 years, especially during and post-COVID, our industry's priorities and mindset have evolved.
Our HR core values centre on 'Humans,' shaping all our initiatives. Post-COVID, we adopted a 'Smart Working' approach with a hybrid model (3 days a week in the office) and flexible hours, allowing a structured and balanced approach to work and personal needs.
We focus on both mental and physical health, organising exciting health challenges to encourage the collective achievement of health goals. Building long-term affinities, we introduced 'Circles@CRIF,' an employee-led hobby, cultural, talent, and fitness club. These circles offer diverse activities like parenting, singing, fitness, book reading, photography, yoga, and trekking expeditions, creating excitement and engagement.”
Recognition, Celebration, Incentives and Redesigning Space
Gaurav Sharma, Chief People Officer, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages highlighted, “In response to the changing work landscape, we've proactively addressed employees' mental health and work-life balance.
Our Well-Being Pillar prioritises safety, overall well-being, and special attention to recognition and celebration.
We foster a positive employee experience by nurturing the mind, body, and spirit through comprehensive programs promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This includes fitness initiatives, healthy lifestyle incentives, mindfulness workshops, and support for work-life balance.
Additionally, our office space has been redesigned to encourage collaboration and social gatherings, featuring new lounge areas, flexible seating, and open spaces.
Furthermore, our revamped café and gym, a yoga room, a crèche, and a reaction room are designed to be friendly for the differently abled, further enhancing our work environment.”
Aditi Nair, Chief People Officer at Practus shared, “At Practus, we have been committed to creating a culture that is People First. Shaped by Practus Values, we aim to provide a work environment that fosters positivity, is conducive to growth, is politics-free, promotes mutual respect & dignity and most importantly prioritises the physical and mental health of our team members. A healthy and conducive work environment has always been a significant differentiator for us, however, we are cognizant of the fact that we need to sustain this environment as we grow. We launched “Abhaya” - our Safe Workplace for All Program at the beginning of this year. “Abhaya” means fearless. The Abhaya program at Practus aims to maintain an environment where every team member can be fearless – fearless in being themselves, fearless in expressing themselves and fearless in ensuring that Practus Culture is always protected.
Sharing the strategies of Epsilon, Sonali De Sarker, the VP of HR said, "We provide mental health support and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) through our confidential partner, offering counselling for personal or work-related challenges.
Awantika Bhardwaj, Head of CPE India at Ensono added, “At Ensono, mental health and work-life balance are top priorities. Our culture promotes balance and flexibility through a hybrid work model, flexible hours, and transparency. The Virgin Plus app encourages healthy habits. Associates have the autonomy to manage deadlines and personal lives.
Our revised leave policy offers full leave credit in advance for proactive planning. Sabbatical leave is introduced for milestone achievements, providing a month of paid relaxation.
Monthly wellness sessions and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support associates. Managers monitor team members' health, addressing concerns with the HR team.”
Bhumika Srivastava, Head of People, Walmart Global Tech said, “As a people-led, tech-powered organisation, the holistic well-being of our associates is a top priority. Our people make us who we are and we are constantly thinking of ways to build a workplace where everyone thrives and feels like they belong.
Our culture emphasises constant listening to curate well-being policies and benefits supporting the four pillars—physical, mental, social, and financial—for our diverse associate base. Healthcare covers same-sex partners, gender reaffirmation surgeries, and HIV/AIDS. Insurance includes adopted and surrogacy-born children. Expectant mothers receive guided pregnancy care, nutrition, counselling, ergonomics assistance, and holistic maternity coverage. We empower associates with inclusive facilities, transport, and support for medical conditions.
Santosh Vellanki, Group HR Head - India, UPL added, “At UPL, we believe that both mental and physical well-being of the employees is important for them to do well in their personal and professional lives – Only a healthy mind and a healthy body can perform at its full potential.
Productive, Healthy and Inclusive Workspaces, Counselling Sessions, and Webinars
Poonam Agarwal, Head of Human Resources, BSH Home Appliances shared, “The health and well-being of our employees and their families are paramount. In our fast-paced business environment, we prioritise creating a positive and productive workplace ecosystem. Our commitment to employee well-being goes beyond routine check-ups, with sustainable HR practices like health insurance top-ups for both sets of parents and a special Affinity program for parents/grandparents over 80.
We proactively address physical and mental health, considering unique medical conditions and individual needs. Our people-centric approach accommodates specific requirements, ensuring every employee can perform at their best with support. In partnership with healthcare providers like Connect & Heal (CNH) and SilverOak, we offer annual health check-ups across India, along with well-being services covering nutritional science, breathing techniques, yoga, immunity, mental resilience, and counselling sessions. After health check-ups, employees and their families can avail themselves of consultation services from empanelled doctors for guidance on their health conditions.
Promoting a healthy mindset is a priority at BSH Home Appliances. We provide round-the-clock access to counsellors for employee assistance, ensuring immediate support when needed. Additionally, our expert webinars cover diverse topics such as ‘How to balance Me time & Work Time,’ ‘First Responder Session for Managers, Leaders and HR,’ the significance of regular exercise, women's health, heart health, yoga, and meditation. These sessions aim to provide valuable insights and resources, fostering a holistic approach to well-being among our employees.
“At HCL Healthcare, we prioritise the health and well-being of those who are dedicated to caring and work diligently to enhance other’s health. Through dedicated efforts, we have created an environment that not only supports health and happiness but also promotes a holistic approach to wellness in our organisation,” commented Sudeep Sharma, Head of People, Learning & Culture, HCL Healthcare. He further explained, “We recognise the significant emotional and mental burnout experienced by the healthcare workforce during the pandemic.
T Pradeep Singh, Director - India Compensation & Benefits Head for India at Salesforce underlined, “We prioritise our team members' mental health and work-life balance through proactive measures like the Thriving Mind and B-Well Together Series. Developed with BetterUp, these science-backed programs provide tools for holistic health, including stress management and mindset strengthening. Specialists guide individuals on healthy habits, sleep improvement, managing life events, and nutrition. Our insurance plan offers comprehensive mental health coverage under both IPD and OPD.
Rupesh Vamana, Head of HR at Deliveroo India added, “Achieving a healthy work-life balance has become essential to employee well-being as the workplace evolves. We strongly acknowledge that employees have lives beyond the workplace and respect their need for flexibility.” Highlighting the strategies at Deliveroo, he said “At Deliveroo, we prioritise employee well-being through flexible work arrangements and a wellness Employee Resource Group (ERG) focusing on mental, physical, and financial wellness.
Sophia Das, Director of HR at Lam Research - India pointed out, “Today’s work environments are in constant flux and each industry faces its unique challenges in easing through these transitions for their employees. In addition to the industry's best policies like 14 weeks of paternity leave, free health screenings and unlimited doctor consultations, Lam Research deploys unique Mental Health Awareness Training, to help bring people together through awareness and understanding of different mental states.”
How can we engage employees in all-inclusive well-being initiatives?
Sharing some initiatives with an engagement success rate of 88%, Kishore shares, “DBS Bank India prioritises employee well-being with a comprehensive strategy covering mental, financial, and physical wellness by offering:
With a success rate of 39% employee engagement covering 924,177.74KMs in a walkathon, Awantika added, “Our employee well-being sessions, along with the EAP program, support financial and health well-being. Medical benefits cover associates and their families, including extended family members, with separate accidental policies and flexible health insurance plans. Partnering with Virgin Pulse globally, we foster daily well-being with team walking challenges.
Yash shared, “Mental health is a core focus in our well-being strategy. We prioritise psychological safety and belonging, offering support tools like a confidential Employee Assistance Program and a digital tool for personalised resilience content.
Aditi said, “While work-life balance has always been important to us, 2021 was a turning point in many ways. One of the important areas we received feedback on during this time was work-life balance. People's well-being has been further strengthened as an area of focus for us. We have a series of programs that we run for holistic wellness, under “Practus Cares”. Some of the impactful initiatives are as below:
Sophia added, “Our LiveWell program at Lam Research is a gamified suite of services prioritising employee well-being. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) foster community, connecting like-minded individuals to work towards common goals.
Gaurav underlined, “We prioritise holistic well-being, embedding wellness in our culture. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers 24/7 free counselling, supplemented by newsletters and webinars. Employee Resource Groups like Women Inspired Network and Young Talent Group support specific segments, bridging generational gaps and empowering women.”
“We prioritise employee health with regular check-up camps and competitive insurance coverage, ensuring medical support and financial security for CRIF employees,” shared Manisha.
Sudeep highlighted HCL Healthcare’s initiatives saying, “Our mission of making corporate India healthier starts from focusing on the health and wellbeing of our employees first. We prioritise our employees' well-being, fostering a culture of health and fitness. Our 'Hum Fit to Corporate India Fit' campaign includes engaging challenges, sports events, and unique recognition like the Green Apple Award, promoting physical and mental wellness. others.
Pradeep emphasised, “At Salesforce, our proactive approach to employee well-being includes regular surveys and discussions to address evolving needs. We've transformed our thinking about the employee experience, focusing on creating a connected, healthy, and innovative workplace.”
Rupesh added, “We implement a three-pronged approach:
Future initiatives to further prioritise employee well-being, fostering a positive organisational culture that values health and happiness for a thriving workforce.
“BSH prioritises employee mental health for enhanced productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction. We offer 24/7 access to mental health counsellors with a dedicated helpline, organise engaging wellness programs, and embrace a hybrid work model to support work-life balance. Our commitment fosters a positive working environment, driving sustained excellence and innovation within the organisation,” shared Poonam.
What are some innovative strategies for enhancing talent retention?
Rupesh shared innovative strategies for employee retention at Deliveroo:
Poonam highlighted the new methods saying, “At BSH, our commitment to well-being is ingrained in our culture, driving talent retention and sustained success.
Pradeep added the initiatives at Salesforce:
Sudeep underlined new initiatives saying. "At HCL Healthcare, our robust employee well-being initiatives have contributed to a high retention rate, surpassing industry norms. Recognized as a Great Place to Work for three consecutive years and among the Top 15 employers in Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, and Biotechnology, we prioritize growth opportunities for our workforce.
“At UPL, we prioritise a positive learning and growth environment, offering structured career development programs. Rewards and Recognition programs keep our growing workforce motivated. Despite expanding from 6,000 to 13,000 employees since 2018, our high Glassdoor rating of 4.4 and industry-leading employee engagement score reflect our commitment to employee satisfaction. We foster a culture of continuous learning, offering leadership programs in collaboration with top institutes. To support our talent, we provide childcare facilities, extended maternity leave, paternity leave, flexible hours, and work-from-home options, ensuring a balanced and secure work-life experience,” underlined Santosh
Manisha added initiatives at CRIF: “At our core, we prioritise the 3 Cs: Communication, Collaboration, and Culture. Clear communication fosters collaboration, creating a positive work culture. This open, honest, and progressive environment leads to an engaged workforce and enhanced productivity. We emphasise internal mobility, offering growth opportunities based on talent. Our strengthened learning system supports this mobility, ensuring employees have the skills needed for success in new roles.”
Ajay highlighted, “Cleartrip's robust retention is driven by strategic initiatives prioritising employee well-being, professional development, and positive work culture. Our commitment to open communication builds trust, aligning employees with the company's vision. Creating a valued, engaged, and supported work environment enhances our ability to retain top talent, fostering growth, development, and innovation."
Amar said, “In cultivating a culture defined by mutual respect, empathy and camaraderie, we take pride in seamlessly integrating well-being initiatives as a natural extension of our ethos. The success of our approach is evident in our consistently positive and well below industry average employee retention rate. This fact not only tells us that our efforts are hitting the mark but also emphasises how essential well-being initiatives are, both for attracting and retaining top-notch talent.”
“We've innovatively digitized talent and performance management, using platforms like Success Factors and assessment tools. Learning and development, seen in initiatives like HCCB Learning Fest, are core to our strategy. By reforming talent acquisition and retention, we've achieved a 13% regrettable attrition rate, showcasing the positive impact of our well-being initiatives on retention,” shared Gaurav
Sharing the effective strategies for talent retention at Practus Aditi added, “Our retention focus revolves around creating a sense of belonging and purpose. Strategies include hiring based on our 'Value Hiring Framework,' tighter onboarding with a Buddy Program, and pre-emptive plans for mid to long-tenured employees. Our 'Super 40' initiative identifies next-gen leaders, and our Gurukul L&D program ensures continuous upskilling. Early attrition has decreased by 42%, and overall attrition is down by 9% compared to the previous fiscal year.”
Yash shared, “BNY Mellon is deeply invested in our global workforce, fostering a 240-year legacy. Our Employee Reward Portfolio empowers performance and personal resilience, supporting financial goals. Embracing diversity, our Neurodiversity Inclusion initiative champions equity for neurodiverse individuals. We prioritize work-life balance with initiatives like the 'Work from Anywhere' program, empowering our employees for success.”
Sharing new initiatives at Ensono, Awantika added:
Kishore also pointed out new initiatives at DBS saying, “A renowned employer in India and Asia, attributes its success in talent attraction and retention to robust well-being initiatives. With a 6% increase in well-being engagement according to our internal survey:
As featured in People Matters
Asia’s Safest Bank, 2009 – 2024, Global Finance
Best Bank in the World 2022, Global Finance
World’s Best Bank 2021, Euromoney
India’s Best International Bank 2021, Asiamoney
World’s Best Banks - #1 in India 2021, Forbes
World’s Safest Commercial Bank 2021, Global Finance
