IT Companies that have announced Employee Dedicated Initiatives Against COVID-19

The pandemic has been the largest global health crisis and the working class has faced serious ramifications. It has affected every socio-economic demographic and created acute anxiety. This has impacted the mental health of individuals in unpredictable ways. But the initiatives of individuals and organizations have made a huge difference to the workforce. This is helping the nation’s economy to tick along. From paying salaries to families of deceased employees to supporting them with jobs; covering the cost of medical assistance and vaccination to dedicating funds for these employees; startups have been implementing multiple measures to ease the fight against COVID-19.

Visionet Establishes a Dedicated helpline for Employees to Call Anytime

Visionet Systems has set up a dedicated helpline for its employees. The helpline is for them to talk and share anything that is concerning and affecting them negatively. The company provides free mental health professionals, via phone or text, through their Employee Assistance Program. They have also empanelled a network of ambulances and doctors for their employees. For mental health care, they have designed spiritual awareness sessions for their employees through yoga and have hired professionals for these sessions.

Only three weeks ago, Visionet announced that it would bear the complete vaccination costs for all its staff - full-time, contractual or at the intern level. The company is already in advanced discussions with private service providers for vaccination.

L&T Infotech has initiated the vaccination drive for its employees and their family members

L&T Infotech has announced a series of COVID-19 preparedness program to ensure the safety and well-being of its workforce as well as immediate dependents. It has initiated the said vaccination drive starting LTI 0ffice in Pune - Hinjewadi. The company announced that it will next cover Powai, Mahape, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Delhi/NCR offices. The IT giant has partnered with healthcare service providers like Jehangir Hospital, Manipal Hospital, Reliance Hospital, Apollo Hospitals, and Sarvodya Hospital to support this initiative.

LTI is following a 2 pronged approach to support its employees during the pandemic. First, Help and Support - The first step is to help and support as well as address wellness related issues of all employees. Secondly, Communicate and Engage - which counselling for employees to overcome anxiety due to prevailing chaotic situation and offer support for their overall well-being.

Whatfix announces COVID-19 related employee initiatives

For the employee well-being; Physical, emotional and mental wellness; the company has announced pandemic leave every quarter globally for rejuvenation and relaxation. It will provide time offs for employees to support families and friends in emergencies during covid. The company will also provide parental insurance to tackle rising unforeseen medical expenses. Further, if an employee or family member tests positive, the company has announced 28 days of paid leave.

Apart from these initiatives, the company also has a Covid Taskforce to reach out to employees. They will extend necessary support and Covid help IDs to get quick support for employees. Whatfix is also contributing to ACT Grants in India to support the fight against Covid – employees can donate through this program and Whatfix will match 100% of the employee contribution.

SAP Labs India announces COVID-19 relief measures

The company has announced a vaccination drive for employees and their immediate eligible family members. Further, SAP has augmented its COVID-19 Emergency Fund by adding another €3 million; a total of €6 million towards relief efforts. Of this, Rs 17 crore is to support colleagues and their families in India and the local communities. "As a company with more than 103,000 employees from 145 countries and cultures, we share in the global responsibility to address the devastating impacts of this pandemic," stated Sindhu Gangadharan, Sr VP and MD, SAP Labs India.

Cyware announces multiple COVID-19 related employee initiatives

The cybersecurity expert has set up a COVID-19 care fund of Rs 1 Crore for covid-related healthcare expenses of all its employees and their dependents. It will also provide insurance coverage for COVID-19 related healthcare expenses. Further, its Employee Assistance Program (EAP) program will make available professional counselling to employees for stress, mental health, and other personal issues.

The company has also announced ₹ 10K benefits to employees to purchase any stuff they might need to support their work from home activities. Cyware has an internal Covid-19 Channel on Slack for sharing information or news updates, etc. On the other hand, if the company's employee and family need any help, it has a location database. That way, it facilitates any voluntary assistance or support from other team members from the same city.

Tally Solutions announces several measures to support the team and their families

The company has modified its leave policy to provide infected employees with extra time off. Through its COVID leave policy employees can take 7-30 days off and additional 5-days off to take care of an immediate family member in case they test positive. It will also provide financial support to manage a hardship/expense due to COVID, through an advance salary system. This is over and above the benefits of health insurance cover and coverage of OPD reimbursements.

Further, Tally has taken the initiative to get its employees and their families vaccinated while bearing the cost of the vaccination. The company also introduced a 24*7 help-line desk to support employees with any COVID related issue.

U GRO Capital launches ‘UGRO Cares’ to support employees

The fintech has launched a homecare cover where it will offer domiciliary coverage for its employees. All home care expenses related to COVID shall be covered upto INR 30,000. Expenses including doctor consultation charges, diagnostic tests and medicines will be covered upto INR 30,000. Further, it will cover hospitalisation costs for all employees upto the sum insured, due to Covid-19. Besides, insurance cover and expenses would apply to COVID-19 hit employees and their families.

For covid-hit employees and their families, U Gro Capital has also provisioned unlimited consultation (available in 9 regional languages), with General Physician, Dietician, Gynaecologist and Paediatrician.