With a global crisis on our hands, Human Resources are the champions of most companies. Last month, when the COVID19 crisis was just beginning, the Economist wrote an excellent piece on the role of HR in the current climate especially with a focus on employee well-being. We couldn’t agree more with the analysis.
The Aye Finance HR team has been hard at work. Maintaining the team’s morale has been one of their biggest areas of focus. Employee health; mentally, financially and physically has been at the forefront of most strategies.
Within a short period, they’ve had to adapt all their policies and plans to function remotely. It’s been a mammoth task, to say the least.
To that end, there have been some wonderful initiatives that have been spearheaded by our HR Team:
Inhale, Exhale – Online Yoga Sessions
The HR Team has been organising an online pranayama/yoga session every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 AM. These sessions are not just for Aye employees but also their families. Given the current situation, almost everyone has been trying to cope with feelings of anxiety and stress. With this online session, the HR Team’s goal was to help people feel more relaxed and recharged.
Amplified Daily Communications & Activities
Work from home has meant that the daily act of meeting colleagues, sharing a joke or a meal is something that’s isn’t possible at the moment.
The Aye HR Team, however, has still been keeping us connected to each other by engaging us in daily fun challenges. This series of challenges have kept the fun and competitive spirit going between different teams and colleagues. From word jumbles to riddles and everything in between – we never know what to expect.
Ensuring Factual Information is Shared Around COVID 19
Sharing accurate information is important. Now more than ever. Creating the right sort of awareness around COVID19 was a priority for the HR Team.
To combat the plethora of fake news doing the rounds, the HR Team established a COVID Awareness Module on our ILM (Integrated Learning Module) to ensure every employee has access to relevant and factual information.
The team felt there was a lot of anxiousness and concern doing the rounds. The HR team wanted to combat that by ensuring every Aye employee has access to a source of information they could trust.
Aye Radio – Team Aye Making (Air) Waves
The HR Team has recently launched Aye Radio, a radio station created especially for Aye employees. Talk about making waves!
On the channel, employees can request their favourite songs, listen to leaders, get industry updates and a whole lot more. With different episodes and segments available, employees have the option of tuning into a variety of sessions whenever they want.
Creativity in the Time of COVID19
An advantage of the lockdown? The bonus time spent with one’s children! Especially for those team members who are usually out on the field.
With prevention being the keyword these days, the HR Team asked Aye employees to join hands with their little ones and create informative art. The goal was to spread awareness while also having fun.
A plethora of colour came into all our lives thanks to the incredible children of Team Aye!
Rest assured, we all paid attention to what was being said. The children knew what they’re talking about.
This effort was a huge success and the entries are still rolling in.
Rekindling Lost Hobbies
The Aye Finance HR Team has been reaching out to every member of Team Aye who’s got a passion or a hobby outside of work. The creative output of these individuals has been motivating for the rest of the team too.
The HR Team’s goal with this effort was to ensure the team feels connected to one as well as motivated by each other, the way we usually do when we’re in the office together.
Several employees came forward with their passions and talent, from playing music to creating art.
From policy-based communications to outreach, creativity and connections – our HR team has been working relentlessly to cover all bases. Their email inboxes right now must be choc-a-bloc, yet their first concern is the rest of the team.
None of us knows where this is heading. The situation alters every few days. What we do know, is that having a solid HR Team you can turn to for guidance and support every step of the way is invaluable.
A massive shout-out to our HR Team at Aye for all that they’re doing right now and what they’ve done always. Their leadership and the way that they have adapted to the lockdown is an inspiration for us all.
HR is responsible to a significant degree for keeping the morale, motivation and strength of the Aye team going.
To our HR Team, tell us the truth, does the H in HR stand for heroic? Because it sure does feel like that.
