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L.N. Revathy

When work is lean, have fun at the workspot. Just like that, says this IT player. A peek into the party.

HOW about companies allowing their employees to `have fun' at the workplace, even if only on a `lean day'? Or how about sponsoring fun-filled moments and parties every quarter to boost employee morale?

Extremely improbable ideas, right? That's why a visit to the sprawling 15-acre campus of KG Information Systems Private Ltd (KGISL) in Coimbatore will not convince you, at first sight, that it's possible to let down one's hair, as it were, when work is lean. The silence that greets you even as you enter the KGISL campus, the clean and calm interiors, the numbers waiting in silence in the visitor's lounge, the whispers about strict discipline - all these only reinforce one's ideas about work.But KGISL packs a surprise. Come Friday, you'll find employees in high spirits, not because of the weekend coming up but because they are allowed to have fun, watch movies, play games and relax amidst work, right in the office premises.

"Friday is generally a lean day. We allow our BPO (business process outsourcing) division staff to conduct games, even watch movies, do anything that they enjoy," says Ashok Bakthavatsalam, Managing Director, KGISL. The management sets a budget for the leisure activities. The employees are happy because it does not pinch their pocket.

Recalling one such fun-filled moment, a relatively new entrant says, "Recently, we played treasure hunt. It was fun, searching all over the campus for the treasure. It was past nine and we were still hunting instead of retiring from work for the day. It is unforgettable."

Events like treasure hunt, voice impersonation or rangoli competition at the workplace are usually unheard of, especially in an IT-enabled services (ITES) company, where both the employer and staff face work and time pressure. So why is such recreation on here? "We believe in performance. In realising our goals. But employees need to be motivated. Our HR initiatives are aimed at encouraging team effort, in drawing individual capabilities. We believe that an individual will be able to perform only if he knows what is expected of him,' says Ashok.

As a mark of appreciation, the company plans to reward 40 star performers (in its BPO division) with a weeklong trip to Sri Lanka.

"I love my work and the work place" says Kalpana, who has been with the company for close to six years now. Quite a long time to stick to one company, especially in the software services industry, one could say. eWorld got a feel of the fun at KGISL's `JLT' (an acronym for Just Like That) bash.

KGISL management sponsors a JLT party (every quarter) for those working in its BPO division.

This was unlike other formal parties. Every member was part of a team and each team had a theme. There were cultural events too.

"We are given a free hand to do what we like. We start working out the theme and events a week ahead of the scheduled party date. Invite the management team to witness the bash. GEM (read Going that Extra Mile) awards are announced. It is great fun," says Kalpana.

Employees, by and large, point out that even at work, the management assigns the task and vests the responsibility on them. "Formal job description details are issued and this mentions the `key result areas'. The goal setting has helped us to improve our communication capabilities. The management is open to discussion and ideas. Sometimes we take on the task assigned as a challenge. Our efforts are recognised and the monetary incentives are encouraging," they say.

Despite being located in a tier II town, KGISL, according to Prassadh Shanmugam, Vice-President, Corporate Solutions, has managed to contain the attrition rate at between 5-8 per cent.

"The industry attrition rate is around 15 per cent. But we have been able to create an employee-friendly work environment," he says.

Says Shyam Sundar, HR Adviser at KGISL, "we are planning to engage a physiotherapist. Working on computers for long hours, we all know, is a strain.

This physiotherapist will teach the staff who have to report for the shift certain exercises for flexing their fingers and toes. The initiative is not anything big. But the effort is aimed at ensuring employees' health and spirit."

Picture by N. Sridharan

lnr@thehindu.co.in

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