Balasubramanian Sethuraman, Head HR, Parekh Integrated Services Pvt. Ltd., speaks to India Employer Forum about diversity and inclusion in the workplace, key hiring challenges and more.
He said, “I think diversity and inclusion is something which is part and parcel of our lives. It’s something which was always there in India, but now, due to the Western influence, it has gotten a little more hyped up. We, as an organisation, have always been at the forefront of ensuring that we give equal opportunities to all people. We do not only look at empowerment, we also look at giving opportunities to everyone. We take care of the compensation parity, we take care of the role parity, the skill parity, etc. How do we do it? We have defined roles and responsibilities across designations. We usually avoid taking female team members for shift jobs since working at night is a safety concern for us. So, what we usually do is take them for the first or second shift job opportunities, which is the case in tier 2 cities”.
“In tier 2 cities, we only look at them to come and work with us during the general shift. Now, what are the kinds of job opportunities that are available? If you are an educated team member, you can work as a computer operator; you can work as a warehouse supervisor; you can work as warehouse in-charge or a manager. If you’re not educated, as a female team member, you can obviously do basic jobs of picking, packing and stickering of products. We also use female team members for quality checks because they have a very good eye for detail. They are masters in managing the house as well as work, so we usually prefer a female workforce where they are able to add value without getting worried about their personal safety. We ensure that transportation is provided wherever it’s possible and offer them flexible work timings if it is available”.
Watch the full interview: In Conversation with Balasubramanian Sethuraman | Head HR | Parekh Integrated Services Pvt. Ltd.
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About Balasubramanian Sethuraman
Balasubramanian Sethuraman is an accomplished HR Professional and Leadership Coach with over 26 years of experience in driving people strategy, analytics, and organisational transformation across a wide range of HR functions. His expertise spans talent acquisition, where he has developed data-driven recruitment strategies to attract and retain top talent, and employee-industrial relations, where he has successfully fostered harmonious relations and utilised predictive analytics to enhance workforce management. In the realm of strategic HR and organisational development, Balasubramanian has been a visionary leader; spearheading initiatives focused on optimising workforce structures, improving employee experiences, and driving cultural transformation by leading HR as a Revenue Generator.
He is renowned for designing transformative learning experiences that are grounded in mature instructional design principles and analytics-backed methodologies. His focus on measuring the ROI of Learning programs and developing leaders aligns closely with the strategic goals. Additionally, he has taken a data-centric approach to coaching and mentoring, guiding individuals and leaders to align their talents with organisational objectives.
Balasubramanian’s academic background is equally impressive, with a Master’s in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations from Symbiosis, Pune, a Diploma in Mass Communication, and certifications in Thomas Profiling (DISC) and Lean Six Sigma. These credentials have empowered him to be a driving force for HR innovation and excellence in every role he has taken on. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the ‘HR Innovator Leader of the Year Award,’ underscoring his commitment to elevating people’s culture through a holistic, analytics-driven approach to HR. You can connect with Balasubramanian Sethuraman here.
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this article, including any accompanying data, are the sole responsibility of the author and should not be construed as reflecting the official policy or position of India Employer Forum.
