Rendezvous With Reena Wahi, Partner and Head, People, Performance and Culture at KPMG in India on on Mental Wellbeing
In this role, Reena leads KPMG in India’s human resources function which comprises talent management and strategy, driving the people culture and professional development to further KPMG in India’s operations and growth.
She has over 25 years of experience, with strong functional expertise in organisational & culture transformation, change management, talent engagement and future ready talent development.
She boasts a unique blend of consulting and industry experience spanning various sectors such as Real Estate, Consulting, Financial Services, GCC’s, and Hospitality.
Her experience also extends in areas of Risk Management & Corporate Governance, and she has successfully developed and deployed Governance, Compliance, and Enterprise Risk Frameworks for various organisations.
Q. Recently, you have taken the role as Partner and CHRO at KPMG in India, Could you share your vision for the organization as you look ahead, and what are your key priorities for the next year?
Our People Strategy is focused on creating a unique and rewarding environment where our employees can thrive. We have been on our journey to attract, develop and retain employees to deliver our strategic priorities as firm for last few years.
Continuing the same path, the three priorities we would be focusing on in coming year would be to:
- Continuous development of our employees by providing meaningful career growth and diversity of career experiences.
- Provide our employees, a human centric people experience journey with technology at its core.
- Develop agile and future ready capabilities to support our firm’s growth.
Q. How is KPMG in India addressing the growing importance of mental health and wellbeing among employees, particularly in high-pressure roles?
At KPMG, we believe that the wellbeing of our people is not just a priority but an integral part of our DNA. Our wellbeing philosophy is deeply rooted in cultivating an ecosystem that supports colleagues’ professional endeavors while nurturing every aspect of their lives.
This philosophy encompasses a comprehensive and interconnected framework of six key dimensions: Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual, Social, and Financial. These dimensions form the foundation of our wellbeing model, and we place equal emphasis on nurturing each one.
We have wellbeing leaves instead sick leaves now, which individuals can take at any time. This ensures they can balance their work and life, prioritising their overall wellbeing.
Q. What specific mental health programs or initiatives have KPMG implemented to support managers in balancing the demands of leadership with personal wellbeing?
We offer counseling services to all colleagues and up to six family members, the firm manages the cost and confidentiality.
Our employee assistance program helps colleagues manage their mental health by providing access to a variety of resources on the platform, including podcasts, expert articles, and self-paced yoga sessions.
Additionally, all managers and above participate in a quarterly champions training program. This program not only equips them to manage stress among team members but also focuses on managing their own stress during demanding times.
Q. How does KPMG foster a culture of openness around mental health, especially among managers who may feel pressure to maintain a strong front?
Every year we dedicate full one week towards Wellbeing, where our senior leadership spend considerable time creating awareness about various aspects of wellbeing including openly discussing various aspects of mental health issues and encourage employees to speak up and seek support. We host numerous sessions led by trained mental health experts who cover various aspects of mental well-being.
We have a group of trained mental health allies among our colleagues. These individuals are carefully selected and trained to serve as mental health allies in the workplace. All employees are informed about who these allies are and how to reach out to them. They function as first responders during times of stress.
We also regularly conduct meditation and mindfulness sessions to help employees rejuvenate. Our mental health partner facilitates awareness kiosks, and counselors conduct floor walks to raise awareness about the importance of mental health.
Our internal communication channels, regularly share tips on mental well-being. Additionally, we have a well-being community where people openly discuss how they take care of their holistic well-being and encourage others to do the same.
Q. How do you ensure managers at KPMG are equipped with the tools and resources to not only manage their own mental health but also support their teams effectively?
We conduct regular sensitization and training sessions for our people managers to empower them to lead with care and create a psychologically safe work environment for their teams.
These sessions educate managers on the importance of counseling, how to refer someone for counseling, and the softer aspects of rapport building and empathy.
Managers are also sensitized to set healthy boundaries in the workplace, fostering a unique and rewarding environment where our motivated people can thrive.
Reflecting our belief that wellbeing is a shared responsibility, we encourage our people managers to discuss wellbeing goals with their teams as part of the goal-setting exercise.
Thank you, Reena!
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