It begins with a simple cup of chai. Not served in boardrooms behind closed doors, but brewed with purpose—steaming with narratives, inquiries and occasionally, quiet revelations. At Emaar India—”Chai with CHRO” represents more than casual conversation. It embodies a comprehensive strategy to forge a workplace where every voice resonates, every contribution is acknowledged, and every potential flourishes.
This is no hollow corporate rhetoric. The real-estate company has methodically orchestrated a cultural renaissance, replacing rigid hierarchies with meaningful dialogue, transforming conventional human resources policies into people-centred philosophies, and embracing inclusion not as a temporary initiative but as a fundamental identity. Though real estate constitutes Emaar’s business, it is people who construct its future.
“We’re building an equal-opportunity organisation,” explains Madhuri Mehta, chief human resources officer, Emaar India. “Our goal is to actively integrate underrepresented communities into the mainstream workforce.” Recent recruitment from diverse socio-economic backgrounds and marginalised groups is visibly transforming the company’s internal culture while strengthening both external and internal brand perception.
“Our DEI approach isn’t about checkboxes,” Mehta emphasises. “It’s about creating space for every individual to thrive and be seen.” This commitment to diversity redefines what constitutes progressive employment practices in a traditionally conservative industry. Emaar is constructing more than buildings; it is creating equitable environments where professionals at every career stage can excel.
The company’s engagement strategy is distinguished by its accessibility. Whether employees operate from regional sites or remote locations, Emaar ensures comparable experiences. Celebrations, wellness initiatives and sporting events are replicated across locations, while digital programmes including desk yoga, online wellness workshops and financial literacy sessions guarantee comprehensive inclusion.
Just a few years ago, Emaar India’s attrition rate approached 30 per cent—reflecting industry-wide challenges. Today, that figure has been reduced to 14 per cent, a remarkable achievement in the high-turnover property sector. This transformation did not occur spontaneously but resulted from deliberate strategy.
“It required a complete cultural shift,” reveals Mehta. By prioritising inclusivity, transparent communication and consistent engagement, Emaar has cultivated an environment where employees feel valued and empowered.
Central to this transformation is Emaar’s comprehensive Total Rewards Strategy—combining performance-linked compensation, extensive health benefits and flexible working arrangements. The organisation operates recognition schemes including the CEO’s Excellence Awards and Flash Awards to reinforce its appreciation culture.
Beyond compensation, Emaar has intensified focus on employee engagement and wellness, from outpatient consultations and health assessments to spiritual and mental wellbeing programmes. Employees across hierarchies participate in structured development pathways—such as Beyond Limits, Lakshya Leadership and RISE—designed to nurture growth at every career stage.
“When people see a future here, they stay. Our retention is not a metric—it’s a mindset,” Mehta asserts.
Particularly effective is how tailored Emaar’s engagement approach remains. The company recognises its workforce’s diverse demographics—from youthful contact-centre teams to experienced property professionals—ensuring programmes resonate with each constituency.
The wellbeing initiative Sampoornam exemplifies holistic care in practice. It encompasses three dimensions: Kshamta promotes physical health through yoga, wellness camps and sports tournaments; Chetna nurtures mental wellbeing through mindfulness, cognitive exercises and educational sessions; and Atman offers emotional balance via spiritual practices and reflection. Additionally, the company hosts cultural festivals, sporting competitions and creative workshops enabling employees to explore personal interests without compromising professional or family commitments.
By offering varied activities catering to different interests and life stages, Emaar ensures each employee feels recognised and supported. The calendar features diverse cultural celebrations—Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas—creating a workplace where diversity is actively celebrated.
Emaar’s VIBE platform, its proprietary social network, facilitates peer-to-peer recognition. Recognition at Emaar India is immediate, colleague-driven and purposefully designed. Programmes such as Appreciate Your Colleagues transform recognition from annual ceremony to daily practice.
More formal distinctions including the CEO’s Excellence Awards and Uttkrishtta Awards honour significant contributions in customer satisfaction, legacy resolution and revenue growth. The Crème de la Crème Award includes an experiential component—a company-sponsored visit to Dubai, transforming appreciation into lasting memory.
Transparency at Emaar is deliberately cultivated. Leadership engagement forums such as Breakfast with CEO and Chai with CHRO redefine traditional communication hierarchies, encouraging candid dialogue between staff and senior management.
The impact proves tangible: employees feel valued while leadership receives unfiltered feedback that shapes policies and enhances workplace dynamics. By reinforcing openness, Emaar builds trust and strengthens alignment with organisational objectives.
Perhaps most distinctive is Emaar’s receptiveness to feedback and willingness to implement changes accordingly. The company conducts regular surveys and listening sessions that transcend mere formality. Employees share perspectives on workplace culture, leadership accessibility, career aspirations and practical challenges, with inputs incorporated into decision-making processes.
“One employee very satisfyingly said, ‘I never imagined my suggestion in a townhall would result in a policy change, but at Emaar, it did’,” Mehta recounts proudly.
Such narratives exemplify an environment where employee voices catalyse organisational evolution. At Emaar India, feedback is not merely collected—it is valued, validated and acted upon.
For Emaar, standardised approaches to development prove insufficient. Leadership programmes such as Beyond Limits, Lakshya Leadership and RISE 2024 are calibrated to address specific needs at different organisational levels, instilling a performance-oriented, people-centred mindset essential for sustainable leadership.
Emaar India’s vision is ambitious yet pragmatic: to build an organisation where people matter fundamentally—in structures, strategies and daily practices. Through inclusive recruitment, meaningful engagement, experiential recognition and transparent communication, Emaar is constructing more than property developments; it is crafting a culture of belonging.
In an era where talent increasingly seeks purpose alongside remuneration, Emaar India distinguishes itself as a workplace where employees are not merely retained—they are respected, recognised and genuinely inspired.
Source – https://www.hrkatha.com/features/chai-with-chro-how-emaar-india-ensures-every-employee-is-heard/