Balancing
Synopsis
In recent years, workplace dynamics have shifted from traditionalmanagementtoamoresocialandsociologicalfocus, impacting both corporate environments and educational institutions. The pressure to achieve has become a constant theme, leading to a culture where only high performers are recognized.Thistrendaffectsvariousfields,includingmedicine, wherecorporatehospitalsimposeperformancetargetsevenon highlyskilledprofessionals.
The Covid-19 pandemic intensified these pressures, as remote work blurred the lines between personal and professional life, creating an atmosphere of continuous performance demands. Many employees faced the fear of job loss, leading to detrimentaleffectsontheirfamilylivesandwell-being.
While workplace stress was once openly discussed in social settings, the decline of the joint family system in India has diminished available support networks. Consequently, many individuals now grapple with their challenges in isolation, often reluctanttoseekprofessionalhelp.
Thiscombinationofhighexpectationsandalackofsupporthas led to an environment where HR teams are increasingly viewed as enforcers of employee harassment, particularly in highturnover industries like IT. Negative portrayals in media reflect the growing discontent within the corporate world, where even asimplelunchmeetingwithHRcanevokefearoftermination.
Addressingtheseissuesiscrucialtofosterahealthierworkplace culture. The challenge lies in redefining success and support withinorganizationstocreateanenvironmentwhereemployees feelvaluedandempowered.
5:15 PM Registration & High Tea
6:00 PM Welcome Address
Gp Capt R Vijayakumar (Retd), VSM
Executive Director, Madras Management Association
Opening Remarks
Mr N Sathiya Moorthy
Convenor, Policy Matters - Chennai
Address by the Speakers
Dr. Ravi Samuel, Ph.D
Cognitive Behaviour Psychotherapist
Ms Sheetal Rajani
Regional HR Head – Chennai &
Global Head – Engagement with Purpose
Tata Consultancy Services
Dr M S Sivakumar
HOD, Applied Mechanics Dept & Former Dean of Students, IIT Madras
Q & A
Concluding Remarks
7:30 PM
Vote of Thanks
Profile
Dr. Ravi Samuel, Ph.D Cognitive Behaviour Psychotherapist
Dr. Ravi Samuel Ph.D has over 20 years of experience in treating people with emotional, behavioural, psychological, psychiatric problems, marital problems andcorporatementalhealthissues.HealsoprovidesCognitiveRehabilitationfor patients with brain damage and dementia (Alzheimer\’s Disease) related disorders.
Education
1986-89:BachelorofArts,Economics,LoyolaCollege,Chennai,India.
1989-91:MasterofArts,SocialWork,LoyolaCollege,Chennai,India.
1998-99: Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Research Methodology, Thames ValleyUniversity, London,UK.
1998-03: Master of Philosophy, M.Phil. Social Work, Loyola College, Chennai, India.
2007-2014:DoctorateinMedicalandPsychiatricSocialWork,MadrasUniversity, Chennai.
CurrentPositions
Consultant Psychotherapist: Thirty Two years in India and one year in UK of clinical experience among people with emotional, behavioural and psychiatric Problems.
External Faculty: Institute for Psychotherapy & Management Sciences, Old SathyaStudios,Adayar,Chennai,TamilNadu.
Hon. Secretary: Vision Age India – A registered voluntary organisation for the welfareoftheelderly.
Membership:AssociateMember-IndianPsychiatricSociety
ProfessionalTraining
1998-1999: Trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy by Mr. Allan Davidson, Cognitive Behaviour Therapist at Dept. of Clinical Neurology, Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, LondonWC1N3BG.
CoursesAttended
1999 - Short course on Dementia and Neuropsychiatry in National Hospital, InstituteofNeurologyandNeurosurgery,QueenSquare,London.
1999 - Basic Clinical Audit course in North wick Park & St. Marks NHS Trust, London.
2000-Indo-UKWorkshoponEpilepsyattheITCParkSheraton,Chennai.
2001 -Basic Research Methodology Course at the International Epidemiology Conference,Malaysia.
2001 -Advanced Research Methodology Course conducted by King’s College, LondonatNationalNeuroscienceInstitute,Singapore.
Publications & Presentations: He has published in many National and InternationalJournalsandChaptersinafewbooks,includingachapterin a book published by the UN. He has presented many scientific papers at manyNationalandInternationalconferences.
Ms Sheetal Rajani
Regional HR Head – Chennai & Global Head – Engagement with Purpose
Tata Consultancy Services
AnestablishedHRpractitionerandEmployeeExperienceArchitectspecializing in building the human capital capability to drive growth, innovation and continuous improvement. In her current role, Sheetal is the Regional HR Head for Chennai managing the people processes and practices for the largest branchofTCSwithaHeadCountof88000+associates.Inaddition,sheheads the Engagement with Purpose function for TCS globally. In this role, she is responsible for crafting and deploying an employee engagement and experiencestrategythateffectivelyengagesandinspirestalenttodelivertheir bestperformanceandtherebydrivebusinessoutcomes.
Sheetal has well rounded 22 years of HR functional experience in Talent Management, DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), Leadership Development, TalentAnalytics,TalentEngagementandTalentAcquisition.Inaddition,sheisan Agilepractitioner,AgileNinjaCoach,DesignInfluencerandTBEMassessor.
Having spent 19+ years with TCS, Sheetal has rich diverse experience in various HR functions and geographies. In her last role, Sheetal was heading the Human Resources function of Travel Transport and Hospitality Americas business unit. Her previous experience includes leading the Diversity and Inclusion initiatives in the Corporate Talent Management team working with and consulting senior leadership on tailored key talent development interventions. Prior to that, she was the Country HR Head of TCS BeLux operations based out of Brussels overseeing all facets of the Human Resources function in the region. In addition, she also led the Talent Management initiatives as a Process owner for Europe geography.
Sheetal is passionate about people development and is a certified Korn Ferry Potential Assessment coach. An avid learner, fitness enthusiast, explorer with varied interests from spirituality to cooking, she loves to meet people and learn fromlife’sexperiences.
Sheetal holds a Master’s in Business Administration specialising in Systems and HRfromBharathiarUniversity,Coimbatore-India.
Profile
Dr
M S Sivakumar
HOD, Applied Mechanics Dept & Former Dean of Students, IIT Madras
In his 30 years at IIT Madras, Dr. Sivakumar has not only excelled in his academic work but also spent 15 years in student-facing roles. He served as Warden for 3 years, Advisor for Guidance & Counselling for 3 years, Dean of Students for 6 years, and Curator for Personal and Professional Development courses for 10 years. As a former student of the institute himself, he has witnessed first-hand the many struggles and challenges facedbybothstudentsandfaculty.
In whatever time he has and to the extent possible, Dr. Sivakumar has made himself available to address these challenges, both in person and through curricular courses that he and other alumni offer (Web Link to BeHappycoursessite).
He has also made himself available as a listener to anyone who wishes to share their thoughts, emotions, or ideas, with complete confidentiality. Over the past 8 years, he has listened to over 1,200 students and others, many of whom have shared their stories through tears—an experience he describes as one of the most rewarding aspects of his life. Additionally, he findsgreatmeaninginlisteningtonature.
Currently, Dr. Sivakumar serves as the Head of the Applied Mechanics and BiomedicalEngineeringDepartment.
Professor of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras | Former Dean of Students (DoSt), IIT Madras | Founder-Director, Newtomech InnovationsLtd|Founder-Director,BiomimicryCompassLtd.
