As employees return to office, Corporate India wants them to bond
return to office, companies that champion hybrid and flexible work options are increasingly focusing on employee engagement initiatives to reduce the disconnect and boost productivity.
Company executives ET spoke with said the «disconnect» is not only impacting collaboration and productivity, but also leading to lack of bonding. The employee engagement initiatives are seen benefiting all, especially the younger workers who had taken up their first job around the time people were asked to work remotely due to the pandemic, they said.
NatWest Group, Tech Mahindra, EY, and Capgemini are among the companies that have launched a host of initiatives, including frequent team catch-ups, in-person group sessions, 'fun at work' and sports events, and assigning 'buddies' to the new employees — all aimed at promoting cohesiveness at work and improving productivity.
NatWest Group has so far organised more than 40 in-person group sessions for employees who joined during the pandemic.
«We realised that the 7,000-plus colleagues who joined us virtually during the pandemic had missed the opportunity to deepen relationships and build connections,» said Maneesh Menda, head of human resources, international hubs, NatWest Group. «This was part of our strategy to engage them.»
According to a recent employee experience survey by Qualtrics, 83% of the new hires who participated in the survey reported lower engagement at work, indicating a decline in the 'first-year experience'.
Moreover, only 24% of them affirmed their 'intent to stay'. Other companies like Tech Mahindra are leveraging technology to drive employee engagement.
«With a dispersed and large workforce, we have leveraged technology to embed people engagement in our core business
