WITH THE TIMES
Fifteen companies that have successfully balanced employee aspirations with demands of the business
DELOITTE INDIA is a young company — over 85 per cent of its employees are millennials — and over the past couple of years, the consulting company has been trying to understand what they want. "They need to have a voice on the table," says S.V. Nathan, Partner, Human Resources, Deloitte India. Leading the wish-list was flexible work hours, which led to the launch of a programme called ‘My Flex’. It allows the employee any-time work (as long as they are available during the core hours of between 10.30 am and 4 pm), and the option to work four days a week. "Our millennial employees want that kind of flexibility. You can work as many hours, on whichever days you wish, as long as you serve your clients and make sure they are alright with it," says Nathan.
In an era of instant gratification, younger employees don't want yearly appraisals. "They want regular feedback and not wait till the year-end. We did away with ratings. We said employees need to meet their superior manager at least once a month and spend time getting feedback and having a meaningful conversation," explains Nathan.
While Deloitte earlier had sabbaticals of two to three months, now two-year sabbaticals to pursue higher studies are also allowed. "When they come back, we recognise their additional qualification. This has got an extremely good response," says Nathan.
At a time when companies across industries are becoming conservative about hiring and are even laying off people, Nathan proudly announces that Deloitte India's employee strength has grown by 10 per cent.