Enabling Our Dynamic Workforce in Uncertain Times: HRBP, Uber India

In this serious COVID crisis, how are you managing connectivity and engagement with employees?

Employee health and safety is our priority and we are taking all necessary steps to put that above everything else. At Uber, we have always had flexible working policies, and now more than anything else, we feel it’s our responsibility to ensure all our employees work from home to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Our focus right now remains our employees. These times can be tough and we are trying to ensure this WFH (work from home) phase makes our employees feel connected to each other. Our teams and business leaders regularly share ways for employees to cope, care for themselves, and build resilience. We have weekly ‘All Hands,’ virtual companywide meetings taking place where leadership apprises employees of how we plan to come out of this pandemic stronger along with guidelines of what we are doing to help the communities we operate in.

Is technology somewhere creating disruption for less-tech-savvy employees? Do you think Upskilling is the need of the hour?

Uber has been ahead of the curve on remote working and given that we are a global tech company we have been working in virtual environments from the very start.

We are using multiple technology platforms to be in constant touch with our employees and support them in these times, in addition to setting up a global response center for employees where all their queries are answered within 24 hours. We have a very tech-savvy workforce and have taken additional measures to ensure connectivity between teams, for example, we have initiated virtual training for managers to help support their teams in such times of ambiguity and change.

Finding the right work-life balance when working from home can be difficult. Struggling to switch context and juggle work and home roles simultaneously has its own challenges and can be overwhelming for many. We understand that it is important for us to support employees fulfill both personal and professional priorities during these times and have provided a ‘No meeting block’ on employee calendars daily to help them schedule their day based on their needs, professional and personal.

Weekly activities are also being organized like Desktop Yoga Sessions, live virtual guided yoga sessions to help employees stay calm, focused, and feel connected while they WFH.

As an expert, do you think that are you able to maintain an atmosphere for employees where they feel valued and appreciated?

Uber has an extremely talented and resilient workforce that has risen to this community challenge. Our employees are working round the clock to support our drivers, riders, and the communities we operate in.

With a constantly engaged workforce supporting a common goal, our employees know they are valued, appreciated, and are at the core of what makes Uber what it is. That being said, at Uber, we have always prioritized employee health and mental wellness. Our global ‘Employee Assistance Program,’ provides a number of services that are confidential and free for our employees and their family members. These include confidential counseling with stress, grief, and anxiety. The health and well-being of our employees are our greatest assets and in times like these, we want to encourage them to reach out and ask for help if they need it. We have regular webinars with specialists to help employees navigate WFH transition due to the Coronavirus, coping with uncertainty during these times, and any other issues they might be facing. We also have a dedicated assistance program for parents with an expert in the prenatal and postpartum periods, who is available to answer questions, any time.

What is that one thing you love about doing this work?

Understanding the pulse of the organization and translating learnings to overcome challenges that such a global pandemic brings to the workforce is something that inspires me to work in this field. Enabling our dynamic and talented workforce in such uncertain times of social disruption and constantly using innovative technology to improve HR strategies and solutions is what keeps me motivated.