Author: Radhika Sharma | HRKatha

In the antiseptic world of corporate culture, where mission statements often ring hollow and values gather dust in employee handbooks, REA India is attempting something rather different. The property technology company, which owns Housing.com and PropTiger.com, has built its employer value proposition (EVP) around a disarmingly simple concept: “Come Home.” This is more than mere marketing. At REA India, part of a global digital property group with over 1,600 employees, the home metaphor permeates every aspect of corporate life. “Our EVP reflects a deep sense of belonging and trust,” explains Rohit Hasteer, the company’s chief human resources officer. “It’s about…

In an era where artificial intelligence promises to revolutionise everything from chat to computer code, job seekers are increasingly turning to AI to craft their applications. LinkedIn, the professional networking behemoth, now offers AI-powered tools to polish résumés and compose cover letters. Yet this technological aid may be doing candidates more harm than good—creating a paradox where tools designed to give applicants an edge are actually blunting their competitive advantage. The contradiction is striking: tools designed to personalise applications are making them more generic. Hiring managers, battle-hardened by floods of applications, can spot AI-generated prose at fifty paces. “While this…

Picture this: A resignation letter lands on a manager’s desk. Instead of the usual polite formalities, it contains a scathing critique of company culture, strategically timed to disrupt a major project. This isn’t just another employee departure—it’s revenge quitting, a phenomenon that’s reshaping workplace power dynamics in ways that should concern corner offices everywhere. Unlike its cousins—the impulsive rage quit or the passive quiet quit—revenge quitting is calculated warfare. It’s the corporate equivalent of a carefully staged protest, where the timing and manner of departure are weapons wielded to inflict maximum impact. And it’s becoming increasingly common in an era…

The modern workplace has developed a peculiar obsession with purpose. Not content with merely earning a living, employees are increasingly expected to find profound meaning, create world-changing impact, and achieve something extraordinary in their careers. Corporate mission statements trumpet transformative ambitions, while job advertisements promise the chance to ‘make a difference’ or ‘change the world’. But this fixation with what human resource experts call the ‘Big P’—career purpose writ large—may be creating more problems than it solves. “When employees feel pressured to find a grand purpose in their work, it leads to stress, burnout and reduced job satisfaction,” observes Sharad…

In the competitive world of hospitality, where staff turnover often resembles a revolving door, IHG Hotels & Resorts has achieved something remarkable: 25 per cent of its departed employees eventually return to the fold. This ‘boomerang’ effect, rare in any industry but particularly so in hotels, hints at something unusual brewing in the company’s human resources strategy. The secret, it seems, lies not in the usual hospitality industry perks but in what might be called strategic talent cultivation. “IHG’s promise is not about providing jobs but about creating meaningful careers,” says Deepali Bhardwaj, regional HR director, South West Asia, IHG…

When SN Subrahmanyan, chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), suggested that employees should work 90-hour weeks and give up their Sundays, he likely didn’t expect to ignite a firestorm. His remarks—including an ill-conceived quip about “staring at your wife”—came shortly after Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s controversial call for 70-hour workweeks. Together, these proclamations from two of India’s most prominent business figures have exposed a growing schism between traditional corporate leadership and modern workplace expectations. The backlash has been both swift and severe. “It makes the workplace sound toxic,” says Raj Nayak, managing director, House of Cheer Network. “Leaders need to…

Unlimited vacations! Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? When Netflix introduced an unlimited vacation policy, the idea seemed revolutionary. By removing the traditional cap on vacation days, the company aimed to enhance employee well-being and boost productivity through rest. Yet, the result was far from what was expected: employees avoided taking time off altogether! Without a mandatory vacation framework, an implicit pressure emerged to keep working, as employees feared being perceived as less committed. This unintended consequence highlighted a critical flaw in the policy: flexibility without structure often leads to confusion and counterproductivity. To address this, Netflix adopted an ingenious…

As seasons shift, so too do professional priorities. Much like the annual rhythms that influence fashion and holidays, workplace dynamics are deeply intertwined with seasonal patterns. Employees navigate roles and decisions, guided by external markers such as variable pay cycles, academic calendars, and year-end reviews. Amid these transitions, two trends have emerged as defining features of modern work culture: quiet quitting and job cuffing. While quiet quitting reflects a retreat into minimalism—doing only what the job requires without emotional overcommitment—job cuffing embodies its seasonal counterpart. As winter looms and uncertainty grows, employees often “cuff” themselves to their current roles, seeking…

In today’s hyperconnected and high-pressure workplace, resilience has become an indispensable quality. With employees navigating tight deadlines, constant connectivity, and complex challenges, traditional approaches to stress management are proving inadequate. Enter microchillers—short, intentional moments of rest designed to recharge the mind and body. While the term ‘microchillers’ originally referred to compact cooling systems in the HVAC industry, its corporate adaptation highlights a growing emphasis on mental wellness. These bite-sized breaks—whether a stretch, a short walk, or mindful breathing—are transforming workplace culture by helping employees combat burnout, regulate stress, and maintain productivity. A resilience framework: The rise of microchillers The idea…

Conventional HR strategies often fail to address the nuanced and ever-changing needs of today’s workforce. Enter design thinking—a methodology borrowed from the realm of product design but perfectly tailored to reimagine HR. At its core, design thinking places people at the centre of problem-solving. It shifts the focus from “What works for the company?” to “What works for our people?” By fostering empathy, collaboration, and innovation, design thinking aligns employee satisfaction with business goals, bridging the gap between retention and productivity. But how does this transformative approach manifest in HR practices? The essence of design thinking in HR Design thinking…

As we approach 2025, the workplace is on the cusp of transformation, driven by the surging presence of Generation Z. This cohort of tech-savvy, values-driven digital natives, born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, is not just entering the workforce—they are redefining its core. Gen Z—or ‘Zoomers’—approach work with a mindset vastly different from their predecessors. For them, the workplace is not a static institution but a dynamic ecosystem aligned with personal values. They seek flexibility, prioritise inclusivity, demand mental health support, and expect ethical leadership. Their influence is ushering in a new era of organisational dynamics, prompting businesses…

The workplace of 2025 is no longer a distant vision—it is here, reshaped by profound technological, societal, and organisational shifts. Employees now work alongside AI-powered assistants, leadership is undergoing a transformative redefinition, and mental health sits firmly on the strategic agenda. Human resources (HR), often relegated to administrative corners in the past, has become a central driver of these seismic changes, charting the course for organisations navigating uncharted waters. The coming year demands a recalibration of HR’s priorities, as generative AI revolutionises processes, hybrid work becomes the norm, and employee well-being evolves into a competitive differentiator. The challenge lies not…

Picture a team of seasoned professionals gathered in a modern conference room, exchanging ideas for a revolutionary project. The atmosphere appears collaborative, with nods of agreement and shared enthusiasm. Yet beneath the surface of this apparent harmony lies an unseen force that can silently disrupt progress: assumptions. These often-unspoken beliefs about others’ intentions, capabilities, or perspectives can undermine decisions, stifle creativity, and derail collaboration. Assumptions are as ubiquitous as they are insidious, and their power to shape outcomes makes them a critical, yet often overlooked, obstacle to success. Leaders who understand the nature of assumptions—and their potential for harm—can take…

If one word could define 2024 for businesses, it would be ‘adaptation’. Across industries, organisations faced economic uncertainty, relentless talent shortages, and an accelerated pace of technological disruption. Add to this the evolving expectations of a younger, diverse workforce, and the result was a year that tested resilience, agility, and innovation. Yet, many companies rose to the occasion, crafting new paradigms for the future of work. The lessons learned in 2024 underline a powerful truth: adaptability is not merely a survival strategy but the key to building thriving, equitable, and forward-thinking organisations. As companies gear up for 2025, their strategies…

Leadership at Kellanova—formerly Kellogg’s—is not about titles but mindsets. The organisation’s approach combines bold strategies with nuanced execution to empower employees at every level. This is not merely about preparing for the future; it is about shaping it. Through targeted initiatives, Kellanova has crafted a workplace that values diversity, fosters inclusivity, and nurtures talent, creating a dynamic environment where innovation thrives. Leadership beyond titles At Kellanova, leadership is not confined to the boardroom. The company’s multi-tiered leadership programmes identify potential across all levels, offering bespoke training that blends classroom learning, organisational projects, and personalised coaching. Partnerships with Harvard and INSEAD…

Every groundbreaking idea, product, or movement begins with a daunting reality: a blank page. It is both an opportunity and an obstacle, a space full of potential but paralysed by hesitation. From startup teams tasked with revolutionary innovation to students penning their first creative works, Blank Page Syndrome (BTS) looms large, threatening to stifle creativity and stall progress. Yet, when approached with the right mindset and strategies, this mental block can transform into a powerful catalyst for growth and innovation. Understanding Blank Page Syndrome Blank Page Syndrome is more than writer’s block. It is a psychological freeze, stemming from a…

On a chilly Tuesday morning, Amrita opened an email that would alter the course of her career. The subject line read, “Important Update Regarding Your Employment.” Her heart sank as she read the words confirming her worst fears—she had been laid off. Overwhelmed by a storm of emotions, she turned to social media to vent her frustration. Her post garnered sympathy and comments, but it also raised eyebrows, sparking questions about the best way to handle such news in a hyper-connected world. Layoffs, though an unfortunate reality of modern corporate life, can be emotionally taxing. The impulse to seek solace…

In the rapidly evolving world of FMCG, staying ahead requires more than just a great product. It demands a workforce that embodies an organisation’s ethos and drives its vision forward. At Bikaji Foods International, known for its authentic Indian snacks and sweets, this means crafting an employee value proposition (EVP) as distinctive as its offerings. With over 2,800 employees and a footprint expanding globally, Bikaji is navigating the challenges of growth by blending traditional values with modern HR practices. “We’re rooted in legacy but forward-looking in approach,” says Deepshikha Thakur, Chief People Officer of Bikaji Foods International. From navigating talent…

Marico has always been synonymous with household names such as Parachute, Saffola, and Set Wet—brands that resonate with millions of consumers. But behind its product successes lies an unyielding commitment to culture, one that has shaped the company’s journey from a family-owned enterprise into a global leader. The engine of this transformation is something Marico calls The Marico Way. This guiding ethos fuses inclusivity, innovation, and diversity, creating a workplace culture that aligns seamlessly with the company’s ambitions. “The Marico Way is not a static set of principles,” explains Amit Prakash, CHRO, Marico. “It is a living, breathing framework that…

The accelerating pace of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption is revolutionising industries, upending traditional roles, and challenging the fundamental nature of work. AI’s potential to transform processes and amplify productivity offers unprecedented opportunities but also introduces significant uncertainties. At a recent HRKatha Futurecast discussion, powered by Adecco, industry leaders dissected how organisations can harness AI’s transformative power while addressing the challenges it poses to the workforce. Moderated by Sunil C, country manager at Adecco India, the panel featured industry stalwarts such as Rajita Singh, chief people officer at Kyndryl, and Deepak Dobriyal, SVP, global talent management at Birlasoft. Together, they explored…

In a world dominated by relentless technological change, Newgen, a software and digital transformation leader, is redefining the way organisations prepare their workforce for the future. Through a meticulously designed four-tier talent-development framework, Newgen ensures that employees at every level are equipped to meet evolving industry demands. From fresh graduates to senior leaders, the programme offers tailored opportunities that combine innovation, mentorship, and strategic growth. Building from the ground up: Entry-level engineers The journey begins with Newgen’s first tier—entry-level engineers. Each year, NewGen hires 300–500 graduates from top engineering institutions, focusing on three core domains: product engineering, artificial intelligence (AI)…

Real estate and construction have long been bastions of male dominance. Despite women playing pivotal roles as decision-makers in property purchases, their presence in the workforce remains staggeringly low, hovering around 10-12 per cent. Recognising this disparity, Godrej Properties (GPL), one of India’s leading real-estate developers, has taken bold steps to address gender imbalance. Enter CREW—Collective of Real Estate Women—a pioneering initiative designed to empower women professionals in the sector. Now in its third edition, CREW has evolved from a local programme into a national movement, fostering inclusivity and challenging stereotypes in real estate, construction, and allied fields. Following successful…

By fostering mentorship, prioritising well-being, and creating real opportunities for growth, Pramerica has redefined what it means to empower women in the workplace. This is a story of representation, resilience, and the creation of a culture where women don’t just succeed—they thrive. Over the past two years, Pramerica Life has moved the needle significantly on diversity, increasing the proportion of women in its workforce from 20 per cent to 26 per cent. More notably, 27 per cent of its salesforce is now comprised of women—an achievement in an industry where sales roles are often demanding and male-dominated. “Our diversity needle…

At Magma HDI General Insurance, recruitment is about far more than simply filling positions. It’s about crafting a pipeline of future leaders who will sustain the company’s growth and resilience in the long term. In an industry where experienced hires often come at a high cost and tend to stay for only brief tenures, Magma HDI has redefined its approach with the Step-Up Programme, an initiative that transforms fresh graduates into capable leaders ready to tackle the challenges of the dynamic insurance sector. “Our objective was clear—build longevity and manage costs,” says Anil Kumar, CHRO, Magma HDI General Insurance. “Fresh graduates…

Leadership is as much about vision and strategy as it is about communication. Yet, when that communication falters—especially when it descends into emotional outbursts—the consequences can be far-reaching. This reality was starkly illustrated in a recent incident involving DK Goel, chairman of FIITJEE, a prominent coaching institute. A video of Goel verbally assaulting an employee during a virtual meeting has ignited widespread outrage. The chairman’s furious response to an employee questioning the company’s Rs 142 crore investment devolved into a tirade riddled with expletives and personal insults, even targeting the employee’s family. Beyond the individual incident, the controversy has drawn…

In the bustling offices of Terumo, employees are crafting not just their careers but also the future of healthcare. As a global player in medical devices with roots in Japan, the company thrives on a mission that goes beyond innovation—Contributing to Society through Healthcare. Here, employees aren’t just part of the machinery; they’re the lifeblood of a culture that celebrates growth, autonomy, and care and are addressed as ‘associates.’ Central to this ethos is the philosophy of ‘Advancing healthcare with heart’, a principle that empowers associates to align their personal aspirations with the company’s vision. This is not merely a…