Employees at Vedanta, the Indian multinational mining company, will now be able to access confidential emotional support 24×7, which will be supported by artificial intelligence (AI). How? Vedanta has upgraded its biometric attendance system to integrate facial-recognition technology with emotion detection AI. This cutting-edge tool will recognise and capture real-time emotional cues, offering valuable insights into employee sentiment. These insights, in turn, will help the company take proactive measures to enhance morale, well-being and productivity.
By recognising the personal and work-related challenges employees may face, Vedanta will offer confidential counselling sessions in partnership with certain platforms to ensure that employees have round-the-clock access to professional counsellors and doctors. Additionally, trained peer support groups and 24×7 availability of in-house counsellors or wellness buddies will also ensure that no employees is left to navigate mental health issues alone.
That isn’t all. To foster inclusiveness and empathy at work, Vedanta has introduced a Buddy Programme to support women returning to work after maternity leave. This initiative is designed to ease their transition back to work, offering them practical and emotionally-reassuring support.
This programme will pair new mothers with ‘buddies’ or colleagues who act as trusted partners during the critical re-entry period. These buddies are trained to provide consistent check-ins, helping the new mother reintegrate smoothly into her role while balancing her responsibilities at home and at work.
The ‘No Questions Asked’ work-from-home policy allows all women employees to take one self-care day per month without having to explain themselves. The idea is to support a healthy balance between work and personal life, as part of Vedanta’s gender-sensitive policies.
Additionally, to support the physical and mental wellbeing of its employees, Vedanta regularly conducts mental- health awareness training, stress-management workshops, art therapy and sessions that promote mindfulness and meditation. Through these sessions, employees are guided in practices to maintain inner balance and emotional regulation.
Vedanta has nominated enthusiastic employees at each site as “Wellness Ambassadors” to host walk-and-talk meetings and lunchtime stretches. Aware of the power of connection, Vedanta actively fosters a culture of belonging through team-building activities, social events and community-engagement opportunities that encourage interpersonal connection and support across teams.
On World Mental Health Day, Vedanta, the critical minerals, energy transition metals, energy, and technology conglomerate pledged to continue redefining corporate wellness and prioritising the overall well-being of its people.