Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are integral to Kuantum Papers’s values and operations. It strives to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their race, gender, age, ethnicity or religion. ‘‘Our policies and initiatives are thoughtfully designed to create equitable opportunities for all, thereby enhancing employee satisfaction, productivity and retention,’’ Mr. Ajay Sharma, its HR Lead, informs Paper Mart.
Paper Mart: Describe your approach to talent acquisition and recruitment. What has helped you attract the right talents?
Ajay Sharma: Our talent acquisition process begins with conducting an in-depth job profile analysis through discussions with department heads. This critical step allows us to gain an understanding of the responsibilities, required skills and qualifications for each role. Thereafter, we prepare detailed job descriptions that serve as clear guidelines for both the hiring department and prospective candidates, ensuring alignment and enhancing the likelihood of successful hires. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and this is reflected in our commitment towards equality and diversity in the workplace.
Kuantum’s “Kampus Konnect Programme” has also proven instrumental in attracting young talent from diverse academic backgrounds across the country — IIT Roorkee, UBS Chandigarh and SLIET Sangrur, to name a few. By actively engaging with universities and educational institutions, we cultivate relationships with bright young minds and hire the right talent that aligns with our organizational values and aspirations.
PM: Given the presence of your mill in a rural area, what are the challenges that you face in drawing talents there and making them stay?
AS: One significant hurdle has been the demand and supply gap in the region for the right talent which is further aggravated by the presence of competing mills that are also offering ample opportunities to the talent pool. However, with competitive compensation packages, a progressive career path, a supportive environment and robust training programs, we have been able to recruit top talent and ensure their long-term retention.
Also, in the last 4-5 years there has been a lot of economic development in the area, leading to the opening up of reputed educational institutes and hospitals in the vicinity of our mill. These facilities, along with our well established housing colony within the plant premises, make Kuantum an attractive employer in the paper industry.
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PM: Help us understand the people-focused culture you have nurtured in your organization.
AS: We treat our people as the most important asset of the organisation. We prioritize continuous learning through bespoke training opportunities that cater to both professional and personal growth. We have recently introduced the Supervisory Development Program for first time managers, to sharpen their managerial skills and charter their career paths.
Team building activities have always played a crucial role in fostering unity and improving morale at Kuantum. We keep organizing regular employee engagement activities and social gatherings throughout the year to facilitate a positive and cohesive work environment.
Further, we reward our employees with one of the best compensation and benefits packages, perquisites and learning and development opportunities. This approach has helped us become an Employer of Choice and we have one of the lowest attrition rates in the industry.
PM: Walk us through some of the distinct employee welfare initiatives you have rolled out.
AS: At Kuantum, we take pride in undertaking various employee welfare initiatives that go a long way in developing a healthy work culture. We have a well-established residential colony for our staff and workers surrounded by more than 50% green area. We have an on-site dispensary and primary healthcare facilities with round-the-clock medical professionals. Our advanced sports facilities include a football field, badminton, basketball and volleyball courts, table tennis, kids’ play area and a gymnasium which offer ample opportunities for employees and their families to unwind and indulge in recreational activities. The Kuantum Club Hall is a dedicated space for social gatherings, festivals and events. This allows our employees to connect, build friendships and create lasting memories, fostering a spirit of camaraderie amongst them. The company runs school on the plant premises, provides high quality subsidized education for both primary and secondary levels.
Driven by our commitment towards employee well-being and safety, we maintain in-house fire brigades and fully equipped ambulances to ensure a swift and professional response in case of emergencies. Not only do we provide comprehensive medical insurance to all our employees and their family members but we also cover our employees under life insurance schemes.
PM: Please discuss the upskilling programmes you have introduced for your mill employees.
AS: We have implemented a Structured Performance Management and Development System in the organisation. We actively support employees in pursuing professional executive programs, recognizing their value in enhancing leadership and strategic capabilities. These initiatives continue to help our employees excel in their current roles and prepare for future challenges, ensuring they are equipped with the right skills and are adaptable and competitive in the ever-evolving industry landscape.
Our team conducts targeted in-house workshops and training programs tailored to each department’s specific needs. We collaborate with industry experts for specialized outsourced workshops on advanced technical topics and industry trends. These include Data Analytics and Statistics concepts, SAP workshops and programs on developing managerial efficiency.
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PM: How important is diversity and inclusivity to your organization? Please explain
AS: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) are integral to our company’s values and operations. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their race, gender, age, ethnicity or religion. Our policies and initiatives are thoughtfully designed to create equitable opportunities for all, thereby enhancing employee satisfaction, productivity and retention. In the last year itself, we have increased the number of women employees in our workforce by 53%. By integrating individuals with varied experiences and backgrounds in our team, we bring enriched thoughts and ideas to the table. Diverse perspectives challenge assumptions and spark creativity, ultimately resulting in more innovative thoughts and solutions.
Kuantum is committed to ensuring gender diversity at every level of our organization and we actively promote women’s participation in our workforce. We have hired some brilliant young women graduate engineers and management trainees, ensuring a steady influx of female talent in the organisation.
PM: Please elaborate on the initiatives you have taken to help increase women’s participation in your workforce
AS: Kuantum is committed to ensuring gender diversity at every level of our organization and we actively promote women’s participation in our workforce. We have hired some brilliant young women graduate engineers and management trainees, ensuring a steady influx of female talent in the organisation.
We proudly maintain a 100% return rate for mothers’ post-maternity leave by creating a supportive environment where they can seamlessly transition back to work after childbirth. Providing flexible working hours and work-from-home options has been crucial in managing caregiver roles while continuing their professional journey.
We also invest significantly in leadership development and mentorship opportunities designed to empower women to take on leadership roles and advance within the organization.
PM: What has made your organization a fun place to work?
AS: At Kuantum Papers, we believe that a vibrant and enjoyable workplace makes the employees feel valued and motivated. We celebrate all festivals and host family events to foster a sense of a close-knit community. Recognizing the importance of individual milestones, we ensure every employee’s birthday is celebrated with enthusiasm and great fervour. Sports fests, outdoor events, yoga sessions, offsite visits and movie outings further enhance team bonding and work-life balance. All these employee engagement activities translate into a more productive team and conducive work environment.
