Randstad, The Adecco Group, ManpowerGroup and Gi Group, the leading global HR services companies have formed an alliance to “Help India Get Back to Work Safely”. The four organizations, combine their knowledge and strengths in the framework of a non-commercial alliance to jointly tackle the key challenges facing the labor market following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The objective of this collaboration is to minimize the negative impact of COVID-19 on the economy. For companies, it is now a question of getting their employees back to work quickly and, above all, safely. The alliance’s actions will be focused on sharing best practices on health and safety protocols, to be established or updated for the ‘physical distancing economy’. 

Initially, the alliance will focus on companies in seven key sectors in India - IT/ITeS, Manufacturing, Infrastructure, PHL, Consulting & Business Services, Retail and E-Commerce and will consult with various stakeholders in the country in the coming weeks. 

Thereafter, the best practice protocols collated from companies in these 7 sectors will be used to create a comprehensive compilation of instructions and concrete measures – a country-specific COVID19: ‘Help India Get Back to Work Safely’ guide with practical advice and health and safety protocols, which can be used by organizations, to support a safe return to workplaces throughout India. 

Through this alliance, the HR services industry is issuing a call to action to all relevant stakeholders to contribute and play their part. This includes employers, trade unions, industry associations, regulatory bodies and NGOs. The alliance is also reaching out to Governments to support, stimulate and endorse these efforts to help India get back to work safely. The HR services industry is uniquely positioned to contribute to these efforts by applying its in-depth knowledge of labor market processes through various sectors and companies. 

In order to ensure the safety of employees, companies must have clear processes and protocols. Given the sense of urgency, the alliance is on a mission to make a vital contribution to this process of preparing for the new normal and helping India get back to work safely. 

Speaking on behalf of the India alliance, Paul Dupuis, MD & CEO, Randstad India said, “I am excited to partner with the Adecco Group, ManpowerGroup and Gi Group in this alliance. Our mission is to bring our collective knowledge to produce guidance and practical advice on how we can support India get back to work safely. This tremendous task will require close co-operation and co-ordination of various stakeholders – from employers, trade unions, industry associations, to the government. One thing is certain; we are entering a new world of work and it is crucial to be well prepared for this new reality. The emphasis must be on creating a safe environment where employees can be productive and make an impact. We, therefore, appeal to all stakeholders to join us in helping to prepare India for the road ahead”.

Marco Valsecchi, Country Manager & MD, Adecco Group, India said,”COVID - 19 has created a great disruption in the labor market and to entire communities and thus, it is imperative to return to work with the necessary precautions. Our alliance with Randstad, ManpowerGroup and Gi Group is an effort to prepare and contribute to a new normal and to expedite a safe and responsible reopening of economies and workplaces. The safety protocols we put together will highlight the elimination and substitution of various workplace policies in order to adapt to the new reality of a physically distant work environment, ensuring that employee safety and risk mitigation are of the utmost priority. We are dedicated to providing job security and safety for our Indian workforce. In a 'solution economy', only the converging efforts of businesses, government, social enterprises and philanthropy will obtain the best results. I am personally convinced this alliance will make a lasting difference.”

Sandeep Gulati, MD, ManpowerGroup India said, “Dialing up the dimmer to help people return safely to work at the right speed, in the right way, is today’s leadership challenge. Though the restart will be divergent by industry there are best practices companies can follow for a return that puts the health of people first. That’s why we are proud to launch this alliance to share best practices and practical recommendations from across industries and geographies. This is our opportunity to restart the economy to create a future of work that works for everyone, one we know people have been seeking for some time. More digital, more virtual, more connected and more wellbeing-orientated than we could ever have imagined.”

Marcos Segador Arrebola, Country Manager, Gi Group India said, “Companies and in particular HR service organizations like the ones in this initiative should play an active role to ensure India is getting back to work safely. For this, we should deeply understand the real needs of all the stakeholders involved in the process and create solutions to fulfill them in a sustainable way, building the foundations of a better future. Only caring about these needs with passion and dedication would be possible to solve the challenges ahead. We should treat this COVID-19 crisis as a defining moment for ourselves, our organizations and our country. A moment to make a difference”.