WORKPLACE PROFILE: ADP INDIA The Business Behind The HR Discover how ADP India is making the most of its workforce diversity through the introduction of innovative HR initiatives |
 ADP India aims to provide a complete range of application development and technical support to the SBUs of Automatic Data Processing, Inc., one of the world’s largest providers of business outsourcing solutions. They also have a solution centre that provides back office operations for the various businesses of ADP Inc. while their apt tagline is ‘The business behind business’. ADP India has over 3000 associates, out of which 2500 are based at its Hyderabad campus and 500 operate from Pune. It endeavours to live up to its commitment of being an Employer of Choice (EoC) and continues to organise several workshops and sessions for its associates and their families to help them on the professional as well as personal front. Such employee-driven initiatives aim to nurture a great work environment and culture in the organisation.One interesting initiative of ADP India was a month-long campaign to promote the ‘Green’ cause in Hyderabad. Under this, the company distributed more than 500 saplings to its employees for plantation in their localities. The company also invited its associates and their families to share their own ideas around the green theme in the form of posters. In reinforcement of its green campaign, it organised a creative workshop for making New Year greeting cards. More than 200 associates and their families participated in the workshop, wherein they designed innovative cards around the theme of ‘Green’. The company then chose the 9 best and most creative cards to make a collated greeting card used by the company for extending New Year wishes to its partners, customers, associates and vendors. As an endeavour towards keeping employees engaged, they organised a creative photography workshop for all enthusiasts. The objective was to promote the artistic side of associates. More than 200 associates participated in the workshop alongwith their families wherein they learnt the fine art of clicking photographs in a professional manner. A well known photographer was also invited, who shared various tips with the enthusiastic participants. For those associates interested in acting, they organised a workshop on theatre conducted by the members of a professional dramatics club. These members shared their lessons on acting and undertook practical sessions for the acting zealots. As an endeavour to promote the importance of health, ADP India commemorated Diabetes Month by organising a Diabetes Health Checkup camp for its associates. On-site physicians provided counselling to the associates on diabetes, its complications and prevention, alongwith tips from a dietician and guidelines for health exercises. The programme also included the conducting of various tests on the associates as well as consultancy advice from the physicians, who educated the associates about the various ill effects of diabetes. The thought behind this workshop was to spread the message about the several medical problems faced by a diabetic person. They also organised a meditation workshop in which over 100 associates, alongwith their family members, took part. The participants learnt the technique of meditation, which has helped them in concentration and, in turn, increased productivity. This was conducted by a professionally trained internal associate who carried out a comprehensive session on meditation and informed the participants in detail about the benefits of meditation. |
 ADP understands how critical it is to initiate activities for their women associates. As a result of the increase in the number of patients suffering from cancer in the country, ADP India invited medical professionals from Jagruthi Cancer Foundation to talk to the women associates about cancer awareness and other related health problems. The professionals shared information on breast cancer and updated the women associates about the treatment available, the precautions working women need to take and other such advice.The company has also organised self-defence workshops for the women associates. A good number of female associates took part in the sessions and learnt various techniques from a leading expert in the field who was especially invited for this series. The initiative was aimed at equipping the women associates with self protection techniques to help boost their confidence. The participants enthusiastically engaged in and learnt various techniques which can be used by them in distressful situations like eve teasing, bag snatching, etc. In another such initiative, ADP India launched ‘MEDHA’ (‘intelligence’ in Sanskrit) – an internal website for women associates, as part of Women’s Forum celebrations. The website was inaugurated by Shakti Sagar, Managing Director of ADP Pvt. Ltd., and it focuses on women associates’ experiences, advice, suggestions, learnings, issues, etc. The ADP India diversity council ‘VIVIDHA’ (‘variety’ in Sanskrit) comprises of members from the Indian senior leadership team - leaders across various functions and business units - with the aim to further enhance their policies and practices to attract, retain and engage diverse talent from different regions, geographies, genders, religions, languages, cultures and abilities. One other initiative taken by the company was the creation of cricket fever for all associates. ADP India organised a 4-week tournament in which 39 teams participated. The format was very different from regular cricket, as each team had its own female player. To increase the enthusiasm and participation, they made it mandatory for the female players to bat and bowl the first over of the match. During the 3-week long tournament, the teams of Royal Strikers, Gladiators, Spartans, ADP Chargers, Jaguars, Deccan Cavaliers, etc. locked horns with each other. The final was played out between ADP Chargers and Deccan Cavaliers in the presence of a highly charged crowd which kept cheering for its favourite teams. Deccan Cavaliers emerged the tournament champions by beating ADP Chargers. ADP India definitely seems to understand the importance of diversity as it regards this feature one of its greatest strengths considered critical for ongoing success. In this regard, they also believe in celebrating the unique perspectives and experiences that only a rich and diverse workforce can provide. By providing more points of view, innovative solutions and varied ideas, this diverse workforce helps in enriching them as well the clients they serve. |
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