'Inclusion is not a matter of political correctness. It is the key to growth.' Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson rightly said that about inclusion. For Vinod Mehta, the Chief Human Resources Officer of Teleperformance in India and APAC, it all boils down to creating a happy workplace. In this conversation, Vinod spoke about Teleperformance's hiring plans, the talent of tier 2 cities, and making this organisation an inclusive workplace.
How is the culture at Teleperformance? How do you ensure that employees happily come back to work?
At Teleperformance, the work culture is defined by our people-first approach and unwavering commitment to excellence and the Teleperformance core values - Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, Innovation, and Commitment. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce can promote innovation, creativity and improved organisational culture through a unique blend of perspectives.
Our focus is on creating exceptional customer experiences through passion and dedication. We build strong teams by recruiting top talent and offering an inclusive work environment, as well as state-of-the-art training, learning and development opportunities focused on emotional intelligence, employee engagement, and overall well-being. Our workplace thrives on cutting-edge technology and teamwork, ensuring our people feel valued and inspired. We believe in fostering an inclusive, supportive environment that motivates our employees to learn, grow, and excel. By nurturing these values and providing the right resources, we ensure our team members are happy and ready to make a positive difference.
How is the talent in Tier 2 cities compared to the metros? Please share your insights and learnings.
The talent in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities offers unique advantages. In our experience, Tier 2 cities often have a stable workforce with strong loyalty, resulting in lower attrition rates. These locations provide access to skilled professionals eager to stay and grow with the company in the long-term. We are tapping into this valuable talent pool by expanding our presence in cities like Lucknow, Raipur, and Jaipur, each with new centers accommodating roughly 1,000 employees. With our plans to grow from 13 to 20 cities and add 60,000 employees over the next few years, we see great potential in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities for driving sustained growth and excellence.
Teleperformance shared that its hiring plan in India will reach 150,000 employee mark. What is the kind of talent that Teleperformance is aiming to hire? What are the skills you prefer?
As we embark on a major expansion in India, Teleperformance is excited to welcome new employees to increase the headcount to cater to new business and opportunities. We aim to be 150,000 employees strong in the coming years. We seek individuals who excel in emotional intelligence, empathy, and a client-focused approach. Professionalism, innovation, and integrity are our core values, and we want team members who are committed to these principles and eager to achieve excellence.
With our expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, we are eager to hire people who are ready to build long-term careers with us. Essential skills include strong customer service, problem-solving, and adaptability. Additionally, as we support advanced projects like generative AI development, we seek candidates with technical proficiency and a passion for cutting-edge technology.
What is the leadership percentage of women at Teleperformance? How does the organisation ensure equal participation of women leaders across all boards?
We are committed to amplifying women’s voices and fostering an inclusive environment where every individual is valued and heard.
To ensure equal participation of women leaders, we implement programs and initiatives that promote equal opportunities and professional development. Our #TPWomen initiative is a global initiative that celebrates and supports the achievements of women, addressing workplace issues and driving positive change. Additionally, initiatives like #WomenLeadingChange connect and inspire brilliant female minds globally, reinforcing our dedication to empowering women at every level of the organisation.
Share the policies that TP has developed to create an inclusive workplace.
Teleperformance has developed several key policies to foster an inclusive workplace environment. Our work culture focuses on gender diversity, equal opportunities, and creating a welcoming space for all employees. We support equal opportunity and participation at all levels.
The #TPWomen initiative further reinforces the company's commitment to gender equality. This global program addresses workplace challenges faced by women and promotes equal opportunities at all levels of the organization. Like I mentioned, through campaigns like #WomenLeadingChange, Teleperformance successfully brings together like-minded women leaders from across the globe.
To broaden our inclusive approach, we have also launched the #DiversityHiringFest. This initiative aims to attract diverse talent across India, with a particular focus on including members of LGBTQIA+, People with Disabilities (PwD), new moms, people with career break, veterans, and others. The company has taken concrete steps to create safe and accessible workplaces, such as installing all-gender washrooms and providing ramp access for people with disabilities and veterans. Since its inception in February 2024, the #DiversityHiringFest has brought over 250 new joiners to the company.
These policies collectively demonstrate Teleperformance's ongoing efforts to create a workplace that not only embraces diversity but actively promotes equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of their background or identity.
How do you include #MenAsAllies in your quest for diversity at Teleperformance?
At Teleperformance, we recognise that achieving true diversity and inclusion requires the active participation of everyone within the organisation. Our #MenAsAllies initiative is a crucial part of this effort. Teleperformance launched this program in India a few years back to encourage our male employees to be an ally and promote gender equality by addressing unconscious biases and supporting the advancement of women in the workplace.
Through #MenAsAllies, we offer opportunities for men to participate in workshops, awareness campaigns, and mentorship programs that foster inclusion. We encourage our male colleagues to advocate for gender equality, support their female peers, and actively contribute to the creation of a more balanced and equitable workplace.
By involving men in our diversity initiatives, we ensure a collective approach to achieving our goal of fostering an inclusive environment – an environment where everyone collaborates to support and empower women in leadership and beyond.
