The change brought about by various social, geopolitical, technological, environmental, and economic factors has reshaped the world order for everyone across the globe. In the new normal, employees are deliberately choosing themselves and working to reclaim their time, energy, identities, autonomy, and passions. There is a shift in power dynamics from organisations to people, from profit to mutual prosperity, and from ‘me’ to ‘we’. Today, employees want more—wellbeing to be embedded in their work experience, meaningful work along with personal purpose aligned to the organisation, flexibility of place and time to work from anywhere and anytime. And, they are not shy to switch organisations to get what they need. Therefore, amidst the great resignation, today, it is imperative for HR leaders to chart the way for great reclamation by building a happy workplace.
To further our collective vision of a happy workplace where conversations around mental health are not stigmatised, overall wellbeing is valued, diversity of thoughts and differences based on age, ethnicity, race, lifestyle, and social status are appreciated, and where everyone has equal access to health care, we must drive the shift from wellness of business to wellness before business.
Globally, an estimated 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety. It is more important now than ever to build a nurturing work culture and provide an experience to employees that is meaningful, flexible, empowering, collaborative, and inspiring. The happy worker-productive worker thesis suggests that workers who experience high levels of wellbeing and satisfaction perform well.
As HR leaders gear up to solve challenges that are unheard of, they must focus on seven imperatives to build a happy workplace.
India has made significant progress in the healthcare sector as part of its plan to become a developed nation by 2047. India’s digital transformation has been instrumental in fast-tracking access to quality healthcare through the government’s flagship Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, launched two years ago. The focus on healthcare digitisation and infrastructure is one aspect that has led to improvements in healthcare provision and delivery.
Comprehensive or quality healthcare means health services to be made available, affordable, and accessible. It also means that they are delivered to every person compassionately and respectfully. Research has shown that healthcare is not just about treating the disease or having the infrastructure to enable treatment, but also about the overall well-being of the individual. Many examples demonstrate the crucial role of respectful healthcare in expediting patient recovery, reinforcing the idea that patient experience must be at the core of all solutions in a personal and service-oriented industry like healthcare.
I am beginning to worry about the Ides of February. This February, I went for my annual check-up at Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, and the ultrasound showed a tumour in my left kidney. My initial reaction was, “Oh no, not another February / March surgery!”. Until I was 60, I never spent a night in a hospital as a patient. But after I turned 60, I’ve had to go for some surgery every year. I found out in February 2022 that I needed a bypass surgery. In February 2023, I had to be operated on for a hernia. So, 2024 was my hattrick.
I immediately called up a friend, Dr Ian D’Souza, who suggested that I contact an oncologist at Lilavati Hospital. I met him the next day and got a CT scan done, which confirmed the encapsulated tumour. That evening, we had some friends over for dinner, and one of them, Dr Robin Pinto, said I should talk to Dr Anup Ramani. He immediately called him and set up an appointment for the next day. We met the doctor on Saturday morning, and after looking at the papers, he was pretty sure that this would be malignant and suggested that I should remove not only the tumour but also the kidney. We agreed on it, and the date was set for a few days later since I had to get off my blood thinners.
Once relegated to the shadows, mental health is now central to public discourse. Especially since the pandemic, more people are willing to talk about mental health within the workplace and beyond. Millennials and Gen Z, in particular, are unafraid to prioritise their mental wellbeing. Encouraged by their peers and celebrities opening up about mental health issues on social media, young people recognise that it’s no longer something to be ashamed of. Mental illness can happen to anyone, anytime; it’s no one’s fault, and it’s ok to seek help.
This shift in mindset couldn’t have come soon enough. Gen Z and Millennials are grappling with increasingly high levels of fear and uncertainty triggered by several crises we’ve witnessed in the last three years: COVID-19, wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the pressure to conform to unrealistic standards on social media, and more.
According to Deloitte, over half of Gen Zs (53 percent) and 45 percent of millennials in India say they feel anxious or stressed all or most of the time. That’s higher than the global average. Meanwhile, within the workplace, the 2023 Asia Mental Health Index found that 60 percent of Indian employees are feeling more stressed than last year. Fifty-three percent report that their mental health is negatively impacting their
We invest in our employees’ professional growth and development, providing opportunities for training, mentorship, and advancement to help you reach
Be part of a dynamic and forward-thinking organization that encourages creativity, innovation, and continuous improvement.products, ensuring
At Cynergic Lifesciences Pvt Ltd, quality is at the heart of everything we do. Join us in upholding the highest standards of quality and safety in all our
We invest in our employees’ professional growth and development, providing opportunities for training, mentorship, and advancement to help you reach
Be part of a dynamic and forward-thinking organization that encourages creativity, innovation, and continuous improvement.products, ensuring
At Cynergic Lifesciences Pvt Ltd, quality is at the heart of everything we do. Join us in upholding the highest standards of quality and safety in all our
