By Livin Varghese
Chief People Officer
07th Nov, 2024
At Teqfocus, equality isn’t just a policy – it’s the heartbeat of who we are. As the Chief People Officer, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how our commitment to diversity and inclusion shapes our workplace and drives our success. I’d like to take a moment to share our story, our achievements, and where we’re headed in fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.
Our Mission: Empowering Every Individual
Since day one, our mission has been clear: to empower individuals by creating equal opportunities and fostering an environment where diverse perspectives thrive. We believe that when people from all backgrounds come together, innovation flourishes, and we all grow stronger. More than 60% of Teqfocus employees were hired from and operate in tier 2 and 3 cities, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity and regional representation.
Living Our Values Every Day
Our core values of Inclusivity, Equity, and Respect aren’t just words on a wall. They guide our actions and decisions every day. We celebrate the unique backgrounds and experiences each team member brings, ensure fair treatment and opportunities for all, and create a culture where every voice is heard and appreciated.
Strategies That Make a Difference
To turn our mission into reality, we’ve put several strategies and initiatives in place;
Inclusive Hiring Practices
We’ve revamped our recruitment process to minimize unconscious bias and diverse hiring panels. This approach has helped us build a team that truly represents a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
Mentorship Programs
Pairing employees from diverse backgrounds with senior leaders has been instrumental in supporting career growth and fostering a sense of belonging.
Open
Culture
We foster an open culture where employees can easily reach out to leaders, ensuring open lines of communication and support.
Flexible Work Arrangements
By offering flexible schedules and hybrid work options, we accommodate diverse needs and life situations, enabling employees to balance work with personal commitments.
Celebrating Our Milestones
We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we know there’s always more to do;
Representation:Today, women hold 30% of our leadership roles, and minority groups make up a large part of our team across all departments. These numbers reflect our ongoing commitment to building a diverse leadership pipeline.
Looking Ahead: Our Goals for the Future
Our journey doesn’t stop here. We have exciting plans to further our commitment to equality;
Short-term Goals
- Increase Representation: We aim to reach 50% women representation in leadership roles within the next two years.
Long-term Vision
- Global Inclusivity Standards: We strive to set the benchmark for inclusivity worldwide, ensuring every Teqfocus office upholds the highest standards of equality.
- Sustainable Practices: By integrating diversity metrics into our long-term strategies, we aim to sustain growth and foster continuous innovation.
Creating an Inclusive Culture
Building an inclusive culture is about more than policies – it’s about everyday interactions and the environment we cultivate;
Open Dialogue
We encourage honest conversations and celebrate cultural diversity through various events and activities.
Employee Engagement
Regular recognition programs, transparent communication, and ample opportunities for professional growth ensure that every team member feels valued and motivated to contribute their best.
Making an Impact Beyond Our Walls
Our commitment to equality extends into the community. Collaborating with non-profits and educational institutions allows us to support broader initiatives and create pathways for underrepresented groups.
Facing Challenges with Resilience
Promoting equality comes with its challenges, but we are dedicated to overcoming them;
Unconscious Bias
We encourage honest conversations and celebrate cultural diversity through various events and activities.
Consistent Implementation
Regular recognition programs, transparent communication, and ample opportunities for professional growth ensure that every team member feels valued and motivated to contribute their best.
Listening and Evolving
Feedback is vital to our growth, and we actively gather it through regular employee surveys, focus groups, and anonymous suggestion boxes. This continuous feedback loop ensures that our efforts remain relevant and impactful. As part of our recent employee engagement survey, we gained valuable insights that reaffirm our strengths: employees at Teqfocus take pride in working in a supportive, collaborative, and innovative environment that prioritizes work-life balance, professional growth, and regular recognition for hard work. Our commitment to inclusivity, skill development, and impactful projects fosters motivation and dedication among the team.
We also identified areas for improvement, and we are fully committed to addressing these to enhance transparency, project stability, and overall workplace satisfaction. By continuously evolving, we strive to make Teqfocus an even better place to work for everyone.