“Wellness Before Business": Tech Mahindra's Richard Lobo
The chief people officer, Tech Mahindra, shares his organisation’s approach towards health and safety of employees
Tech Mahindra was given Excellence in Health and Safety Initiatives Award at the BW People’s HR Excellence Awards event. Richard Lobo, Chief People Officer, Tech Mahindra, shares his organisation’s approach towards health and safety of employees.
Post Covid, what has been the most significant shift in your organisation's approach regarding people's safety and health?
Our commitment to creating a workplace that prioritises employee wellbeing has always been a cornerstone of our approach. Post-Covid, we have further reinforced this commitment by implementing people-centric policies that address the physical, mental, and emotional health of our employees. These include a comprehensive suite of wellness programmes, flexible working arrangements, and continuous learning and development opportunities. Notably, we were among the first in the industry to appoint a ‘Wellness Officer’ to institutionalise holistic wellness, ensuring our employees have access to essential medical resources, including medicine and hospital care.
Our ‘Wellness First’ initiatives reflect this focus, with programmes such as the Employee Assistance Program, which offers 24/7 counselling support and self-assessment tools to help manage and mitigate stress. At Tech Mahindra, we place ‘Wellness Before Business,’ ensuring that associate wellbeing remains at the forefront through an integrated and mature wellness experience.
What have been some initiatives towards health and safety for all employees in the organisation in the last two years?
Over the past two years, our organisation has made significant strides in enhancing employee health and safety, with a strong focus on holistic wellbeing programmes, digital health solutions, and personalised benefits. Central to these efforts is our #WellnessFirst initiative, which underscores our commitment to prioritising employee wellness. The ‘Wellness Before Business’ programme, a cornerstone of this initiative, adopts a comprehensive approach to wellbeing, addressing multiple dimensions of employee health.
Additionally, our Wealth of Wellness (WoW) initiative offers personalised support, including mental and emotional wellness programmes, available to all employees across the organisation. We have also reinforced our Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) frameworks, implementing ISO-certified systems in critical locations. This commitment is further reflected in our regular safety drills, the provision of high-quality safety equipment, and continuous training to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for everyone.
Mental health is an important aspect of modern life. What steps have been taken on that front?
We recognise the critical importance of mental health in today’s world. Through our Wealth of Wellness (WoW) programme, we offer a range of preventive and personalised wellness initiatives, including the People Care Manager Programme and the Mind Plan, both focused on enhancing mental health. Our dedicated wellness budget ensures that infrastructure and medical expertise are readily available across our campuses, with local teams actively driving these initiatives to foster a supportive environment.
Additionally, the Tech Mahindra Foundation’s Mind@Ease initiative provides an accessible online platform for mental health support, offering free or subsidised services to ensure broad access. These efforts are further strengthened by awareness programmes that deliver psychoeducation, psychological first aid, and peer support systems, cultivating a culture of mental well-being across the organisation.
How does the organisation extend financial support for health expenses?
Our organisation provides comprehensive financial support for health expenses through a range of initiatives to ensure that employees and their families are well-protected. This includes a robust medical insurance plan, supplemented by additional coverage through the Associate Welfare Trust. We also offer a variety of wellness policies, such as bereavement support, maternity and paternity leave, and adoption leave, all designed to provide financial assistance during significant life events. Additionally, we facilitate access to health checkups, online doctor consultations, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), all aimed at reducing out-of-pocket health expenses for our employees.
