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Go out and vote, cool companies tell their employees
Indian companies are not just waiting for the upcoming general elections, which will bring clarity on several reform moves. They are actively encouraging employees to cast their votes.
Indian companies are not just waiting for the upcoming general elections, which will bring clarity on several reform moves. They are actively encouraging employees to cast their votes.
In the last few weeks, many companies such as Coca Cola, Dabur, HSBC, Xavient India, Infotech, Yatra.com, HDFC and Thomas Cook among others have sent out mails and conducted sessions to motivate employees to vote.
“With political uncertainty impacting economic decisions, the business community is extremely excited about the elections this year,” said Rajiv Burman, managing partner at executive search firm, Lighthouse partners.
The idea seems to be proactive: influence the decision of who comes into power, rather than ‘manage’ the eventual winner.
“Election day is extremely important as it gives us an opportunity to share our political ideology,” said Rajendra Ghag, chief human resources officer, HDFC Life.
IT companies in particular are devising techniques to inform and engage employees. Infotech Enterprises, which has more than 8,000 employees in India, is working with an NGO to encourage voting. ADP, an $11-billion American business outsourcing solutions provider, is sending regular e-mails to its 7,500-plus associates, detailing the process of registering as a voter.
Google has gone one step ahead, and launched an Indian elections web portal that explains the electoral process.
“As we serve international clients, where a full-day off is not possible, we may grant a work-from-home for election-day,” said Deepika Pillai, HR director at Xavient India, a US-based IT Services provider.
