India Inc to match personnel needs with personal plans

New Delhi: The year 2025 will see more and more companies offering customised or personalised policies, including benefits, skilling, health and wellbeing, to employees instead of one-size fits all, according to experts. In addition, most companies will continue to embrace hybrid working models.India Inc is gradually moving away from fixed rewards to more differentiated rewards rooted in personalisation including holistic/life stage-based benefits and comprehensive coverage for well-being, according to Mercer Benefit Monitor (MBM) survey report shared exclusively with ET.

ET confirmed with a bunch of companies such as DS Group, Meesho, Yes Bank and Sterlite Power, whose executives said they are chalking out customised initiatives for employees based on seniority, gender and age. Flexibility in some form will also continue for these firms, they said.

Indian conglomerate DS Group has recently developed a robust in-house learning and training platform called Disha, which is tailored to the unique needs of each employee, across all levels.

For 2025, DS Group is looking at personalised development plans and targeted interventions to boost individual, team and overall group productivity, its senior vice president-HR Simin Askari said. Also, it has readied a flagship ‘Luminary Circle’ programme that will identify and nurture high-potential leaders, she said.

The rewards framework in India is evolving to address diverse workforce needs, reflecting global trends while aligning with local dynamics,” said Mansee Singhal, careers leader, Mercer India.

More and more companies are likely to adopt customised benefits like flexible health plans, childcare benefits, eldercare support, or financial planning tools, according to Mercer.

“For example, younger employees may prioritise upskilling, learning stipends and gig work op-tions,” she explained. Midcareer professionals might focus on financial security.

Senior employees may prefer retirement benefits, long-term care packages or flexible retirement options like phased retirement or consultancy roles, said Singhal. Ecommerce platform Meesho, which has 1,700 employees, is currently in the process of adding new policies and initiatives around employee well-being and recognition for 2025, said its CHRO Ashish Kumar Singh. While Yes Bank, which has 28,000 employees, is developing a long-term roadmap to become an inclusive organisation.

FLEXIBILITY AT WORK
In addition, six out of 10 companies prefer hybrid work in 2025, according to Mercer analysis.

“Looking ahead to 2025, we are closely monitoring industry trends and exploring how flexibility can complement our operational requirements,” Askari of DS Group said.