India has been struggling with the vicious second wave of coronavirus as the healthcare system is collapsing. We’re living in tough times where reality is saddening. News and social media are filled with people’s desperate pleas for help and reports of shortages etc. It’s not easy on any of us, especially for those who’ve lost near or dear ones. In such desperate times, it’s important for businesses to be compassionate, and spread positivity.
Some companies have really risen to the occasion to ease the pain and suffering caused by the virus to their employees and families. I wish I had more examples to quote from largest companies like Tatas, Reliance of the world. But here are the few companies who are directly supporting their employees, in addition to vaccination and CSR initiatives.
Borosil
Borosil is a glassware company based in Mumbai. They’re especially known for their heatproof glass utensils and are used by consumers across India. Because of COVID-19, they have lost 4 employees and as described by the MD, “the sadness for these losses is indescribable.”
In a statement shared by Shreevar Kheruka, Borosil’s managing director, the company announced that they will provide 2 years worth of salary to the family of any employee who they loose due to the pandemic. They also pledged to pay for the education of their children till graduation in India.
They added that it’s no comparison to the scale of the loss the family has suffered, and just wish to provide the family time to grieve peacefully.
It’s a heartwarming gesture by Borosil and has received much love and appreciation from people on twitter.
Urban Company
They’re a gig worker model company, that provides professional, at-home services on demand. They attained unicorn status in a recent round of funding, in April 2021. In honour of an employee they lost due to the virus, they set up the “Mohit Agrawal Covid Relief Fund”. He was the company’s Director of Engineering before he succumbed to Covid.
The founders and employees will collectively contribute ₹1 crore to the fund, in partnership with the Srinidhi Foundation. The aim of the fund is to provide medical assistance and bereavement support to their gig workers affected by coronavirus.
Other than this, they will also match all contributions made to the fund to double the amount raised for Covid relief efforts.
Infosys
Infosys is India’s second largest IT services company, headquartered in Bangalore. Since it’s such a large company, they also have a lot of employees. In order to provide assistance to these employees in such a situation, they have set up facilities in Pune and Bengaluru for employees and their families. These will serve as care centers for them. They will also be of assistance to those who don’t have the means to isolate. The company will pay for doctor consultation and will provide for food.
They are also in the process of setting up more such facilities in other areas where their offices are located. According to Mint, Infosys has also tied up with testing labs and emergency ambulance providers in major cities in case of emergencies. In addition, they have partnered with 1490 hospitals to enable treatments for its employees and their families.
When the country faces shortages, it’s important to come together and help out as much as you can. Infosys seems to be doing its part in helping their employees and providing them with aid in case of emergencies.
BYJU’S
If you’re a student, you’ve probably landed on Byju’s website while looking for answers. They are an educational technology company who provide adaptive, engaging and effective learning programs for grades K-12.
They, too, have created a ₹20 crore CEO’s fund to help their employees and fund their medical expenses. This fund will be used to pay for Covid-related expenses of the employees, their parents, spouse and children. They also mentioned that employees can ask for reimbursement to cover hospitalisation costs for themselves and their families, of up to ₹5 lakh (from the fund).
In the email they sent to employees, they mentioned that employees shouldn’t be afraid to ask for time off and they can turn to their team heads for any assistance. This is something that a lot of people need to hear. The mental effect of Covid isn’t as widely talked about as its physical impact, even though it can be really hard for you emotionally and mentally.
Capgemini
What’s a French consulting, technology, professional, and outsourcing services multi national company got to do with India? Well, out of over 270,000 employees, nearly 120,000 of them are Indian. They have said that any employee who is suffering from Covid, will be covered under company medical insurance, if they require home care facilities. This is true for dependents of the employee as well.
Further, they started an initiative which will provide home-cooked meals to those colleagues affected by Covid-19. and have made arrangements for quarantine facilities.
Another company, another fund. Capgemini group had initiated a Benevolent Fund last year for Indian employees of the company and their families. ₹200 crore was parked separately for this fund and the income from this corpus was used towards health and safety areas for Indian employees. This is now helping them buy oxygen cylinders, masks, oximeters to deliver to their employees residence if need be.
Witnessing companies come forward to help their employees in times when they need it is indeed uplifting. I’m sure there are many more examples like these. Let us know if you know stories similar to this!
The Echo-nomist 
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