Good parenting is as important as good teaching to build a nation’s future. The immense talent that we see in the professional world today is also a result of great parenting and that the many sacrifices the previous generation made.
In the corporate world, there is hardly any gratification for parenting. Instead, it’s the parent always show gratitude towards the company for providing jobs to their children.
A small digital marketing agency has set a norm by reversing this gratification on the occasion of Father’s day. They thanked their employees’ parents and expressed gratitude.
Undoubtedly, the employees were thrilled and overwhelmed at this gesture by their employer. They felt that the Company respected them and treated them as well as their near and dear ones as its own family.
Yes, it’s true that in the name of employee engagement, companies struggle to find new way to engage with their employees, and keep them happy. However, there are some activities that touch the lives of employees and become memorable. This indeed was one of a gesture.
Riddhi Shah, director & business head, Manhattan Communications shares with HRKatha that she, along with the HR team at Manhattan Communications, came up with this celebrating idea for Father’s Day. “At Manhattan, we have always made policies which are in favour of the employees. But we realised that not many organisations in the industry have policies which touch the hearts of the employees and their personal lives. We tried to do just that by acknowledging the contribution of their fathers,” mentions Shah.
Written in three languages—English, Hindi and Marathi—the letter addressed to all the fathers appreciated the hard work that their daughters and sons are putting in to help achieve the Company’s goals. It thanked the fathers for the support they render to their kids while they work for the organisation.
The objective was to appreciate the efforts of the employees and their family members. In a digital marketing agency, employees are often required to stay back and work late into the night. For this, family support is rather essential.
Riddhi Shah
“At Manhattan, we have always made policies which are in favour of the employees. But we realised that not many organisations in the industry have policies which touch the hearts of the employees and their personal lives. We tried to do just that by acknowledging the contribution of their fathers”
“Sometimes, while addressing the team I realise that they spend a lot of extra time at work sacrificing moments that they could have otherwise spent with their family. This initiative was a two-way approach to appreciate the sacrifices made by our employees, and also express our gratitude to their fathers for raising such wonderful children,” says Shah.
Not surprisingly, a gesture so rare in the corporate world moved the employees, who responded with a lot of positive feedback.
Some fathers also sent e-mails addressed to Manhattan Communications, thanking the Company for the letter. The company also made a short video where employees shared their reactions towards the initiative. Others posted about it widely on social media.
Corporate India seems to be slowly waking up to the idea that small gestures like these not only engage their employees but instil in them a feeling of belongingness, winning them over for life.
A mass communication graduate Kartikay is a quick learner. A fresh bake, yet a prolific writer, he is always keen to learn and discover new things. He is an easy going gallivanted and just likes to chill out when he is not chasing news. He loves watching movies as well.