Realising the severity of the second wave of the pandemic in India, organisations are taking various measures to support their staff and take care of their needs. While bearing the vaccine costs is a step that most companies have taken, many have gone out of the way to help infected employees with hospitalisation and meals for the isolated families.
Huawei: The Bangalore R&D Centre of Huawei Technologies India, has launched several initiatives to support its staff . It has set up an Emergency Team to help with hospitalisation and other emergency needs. It has a dedicated COVID-19 care portal to address any related issues. It has also opened a national support facility in association with medical service providers to offer medical and hospitalisation support, and doctors’ consultation for staff members and their dependents. In case of any emergency, its exclusive 24*7 ambulance service is available to all employees and their family members. The Company has arranged for emergency oxygen beds in collaboration with leading hospitals.
Mindtree: Mindtree has built a well-equipped COVID centre in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai and Pune for Mindtree Minds (employees) and their dependents, to facilitate isolation for those with mild symptoms. The Centre has dedicated nurses and paramedics, 24×7 ambulance service, as well as oxygen concentrators. It is designed in line with the guidelines of the Government of India and WHO.
The Company’s 24×7 global contact centre assists with access to hospital beds and ICUs. Digital consultations with doctors is possible for all employees and their families from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Gynecologists, pediatricians, general physicians and nutritionists are also available for consultations.
Collaboration with food providers in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune is ensuring that meals are delivered to the houses of employees affected by COVID.
Like many other corporates, a top-up insurance cover has been provided for Covid-specific outpatient and home quarantine expenses in addition to the normal medical insurance plan.
Through webinars, group discussions and other initiatives, the employees’ mental well being is also being ensured.
METRO Cash and Carry India: Employees at METRO Cash and Carry India now have increased life insurance cover. While the middle management has double the earlier cover, the junior management has three times the earlier cover.
The Company has promised to take care of the education of the children of employees who have lost their lives to COVID, till class 12. Opportunity for employment will be given to the spouse of the deceased.
Dedicated War Rooms have been set up across zones to help employees with hospitalization needs, ambulance and oxygen support, plasma, insurance process and so on. All employees are offered 24×7 medical assistance as well as counselling.
In case of emergencies, a facility to provide salary advance has also been initiated. It has offered exemplary bonus payout to reward commitment of their store employees who turned up for work during the initial phase of lockdown last year. Despite challenges, the Company has been able to pay the annual performance bonus, increments and also give promotions. About 14,000 direct and indirect employees across its 28 stores in India will be covered under the vaccination drive it is planning to undertake.
