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Now for some adventure Offsite training is not just fun, but helps professionals break free from the monotonous work place

ADP, for instance, has exclusive gyms for men and women, conducts yoga workshops with Gandhi Gyan Mandir, has aerobic sessions and regular medical checkups. “Those who work during the night need to adapt to a different biological clock. So we have nutritionists counselling them on food habits,” says Satyanarayana, HR head, ADP. Employees are entitled to periodic dental and eye checkups and senior managers and their families for master health checkups.

“With most other programmes, the participation is 60 to 70 per cent. For the master health check, the turnout is 100 per cent. For women, these tests include mammography,” adds Satyanarayana. ADP is also considering ENT checkups and audio-metry tests for those in voice-based jobs. Though there are no psychologists on liaison, while facing a crunch situation, voluntary groups like Roshni have been roped in.

Sierra Atlantic’s new campus at Nanakaramguda will boast of facilities for tennis, badminton and other sports. As of now, there are periodic aerobic workshops and gym sessions. “A multiple level leadership programme offered to employees touches upon issues unrelated to work. Yoga workshops are part of this programme,” says Sanjay Kendri, VP, Sierra Atlantic. He adds that the eagerness for medical checkups has grown. “We have a practitioner come to the office once a week; at first the employees were hesitant. Nowadays one has to wait to get an appointment,” he adds.

HCL Technologies introduced a day care centre for the children of its employees at some of their centres and Infosys boasts of a 24-hour help line with psychologists fielding queries from employees. Others have games and activities to enliven work atmosphere. Maytas Properties has contests for the best dressed employee, tambola, quiz, work cubicle decoration and so on. As you walk away with gifts like candle stands and glass showpieces, you also unwind.

Bangalore-based 1to1help.net liaises with companies like Texas Instruments, IBM India, HP-GDIC, i-flex solutions, Metlife Insurance, GE-ITC, Dell and L&T Infotech. The group, formed by like-minded psychologists, offers online and offline help.

Employees of companies that have registered with this service can log on and take quizzes on self-assessment, parenting and relationships. Online, telephonic and face-to-face counselling are offered when necessary.

Employees of HCL are given counselling through a programme called Mitr. “There are regular yoga and meditation sessions too,” says a spokesperson, adding, “The BPO divisions conform to GS13 and GS18 standards, the UN environmental standards for health and safety of the workforce.” The height of the chair, work-table, height at which the computer screen has to be located, number of rest rooms, number of times the air has to be circulated, etc are taken into account. Round-the-clock medical facilities exist in all centres in addition to employees being given eye-checkups and dental checkups. The cafeterias serve low calorie meals and fresh fruit/vegetable juices.

The monotony of a desk job has a telling effect on young professionals, observes Debashish Chatterjee, director operations, NetXcell. “I could see professionals in their 20s complain about indigestion and backache. After some thought, we decided to have yoga workshops every Thursday,” he explains. This is an addition to offsite get-togethers and other feel-good activities like celebrating every employee’s birthday.

A last word for workaholics: tune out of work when you leave your workplace and see your stress levels come down.

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