IBS Software sets a model for staff & family care in pandemic times

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Setting a high priority on the physical and mental well-being of its employees and their family, software major IBS has been running a slew of support programmes since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic to keep them energised and connected. The company has over 3,500 employees across the globe, but the overwhelming majority are stationed in India.

The in-house support programmes of IBS Software are being carried out mainly by two specially-designed programmes called CAN and CARE, which extend timely response to the needs of the employees and their family members. CAN, the emergency response system, operates through a dedicated team that networks with hospitals, insurance companies, vendors, suppliers and government agencies. It takes care of Transportation (Hospital visits/coordinating ambulance services), procuring and delivering essential supplies (including medicines, groceries), Medical Assistance (including supporting the search for emergency admission/critical care and remote medical consultancy, help to procure emergency medicines). CARE, a helpline to provide on-call professional support to address any anxiety or concerns, reaches out to employees to address anxiety related issues, both personal and professional matters.

The company has also strengthened its tie-up with hospitals for employee support and linkages with agencies to arrange necessary tests like RTPCR from home. The company has tied up with private hospitals to provide vaccination for employees and family members when the vaccines are available with them, for which the entire expenses will be met by the company.

The Update system set up by the company maintains continuous communication with employees on how to be prepared to face any uncertainties. Newsletters are issued daily, consolidating the WHO/governmental/CDC/IMO updates and other key information that will come handy when employees/family are infected. This consistently reminds them as to why they should remain safe and follow the best practices.

Several virtual Initiatives have also been rolled out to keep people energised and connected like yoga sessions, group activities where employees update on their physical activities in a gamified manner, inputs on food, sleep, postures, work life balance and parenting. Forums are there to bring people together – both as talk shows and as space available for people to interact, chat and share, which make up for physical get-togethers. In this model, employees have theme-based programs like pizza evenings where a team gets together virtually and have fun programs culminating with all having pizzas at their home. They order the food online and the company reimburses the amount.

Ensuring that the employees stay safe and healthy, the company has shifted to online all the team meetings and rewards and recognition programmes, enabling people around the world to participate and keep connected. The company keeps the motivation levels high with leaders being connected to employees more, by listening to what they need and take inputs from them, both in terms of org-wide broadcasts (as Connect sessions) and smaller group meetings.

IBS Software has also committed Rs one crore to support the pandemic-related activities of the Kerala Government, through the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) along with other leading companies in Kerala. Converting the Adlux Convention Centre in Cochin into a 500 bed Covid hospital is part of this initiative. The company has also partnered with the Trivandrum Press Club in its community kitchen programme under which around 3,500 food packets are distributed daily to the under privileged people most affected by Covid.