Which are the best IT companies to work for and what is it that makes them so? Which are the companies which are setting new paradigms with their HR policy? The recent Dataquest's annual Best Employers survey, done in association with research firm IDC, has a few answers.
The survey sized up IT companies on various parameters, including employee strength, salary structure, training days, tenure of top management, growth opportunities etc.
Not surprisingly, the survey too felt the tremors of the present global economic turmoil troubling IT companies, with many of the tech biggies including Capgemini, IBM, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, CSC and Cadence refusing to be a part of the survey. Incidentally, it is for the first time in the survey's eight-year history that these companies have refused to participate.
Here's over to the winners.
iGate Global Solution
The top spot in the DQ Best Employers' ranking goes to iGate. Nasdaq-based iGate ranks high on infrastructure, policies and procedure, pride in saying that 'I work for this company and work undertaken is crucial for the company's growth'.
The company has branded HR programmes like HAP-PSY-CAP (happy psychological capital) and I Love iGate to help boost employee satisfaction and instill a pride for working in the company. The company also has communities within iGate based around skills, regions as well as hobbies.
As for the challenges, company ranks at lowly #25 on the 'independence to take decisions by the employees' parameter. Also, according to the survey, ironically, while the company is seen by employees as an employer to be proud of, the outsiders give it a low score on a dream company to work for parameter.
RMSI
Next on the ranking is Geographic Information System (GIS) solution provider RMSI. The company which started as a joint venture with US-based Risk Management Software Inc (RMS) in 1992 has been a part of DQ Best Employers since 2003.
The company ranks no. 1 on salary hikes and at no. 2 on transparency of appraisal system and relevance of perks and benefits. During the past year (2007-2008) year, the company undertook distinct orientation towards leadership development, career development and open communication, according to the survey.
The company was also able to bring down its attrition rate from 14 per cent in the year previous to 11 per cent. The company also boasts of fourth highest rate of retention among the surveyed companies. Among the challenges, the company ranks `relatively poor' at no. 15 on HR front.
HCL Infosystems
At no. 3 in DQ Best Employers' survey is HCL Infosystems. Part of one of the country's largest IT group, HCL Infosystems is an IT products and infrastructure major.
The company ranks at no. 2 on recognition of initiatives and efforts at the time of appraisal and constructive feedback from manager/superior. The survey also gives the company second position on people, company image and job content. The company's two broad HR programmes include iLearn and iLead.
On the challenges front, the survey says that there seems to be dissatisfaction brewing among employees with the kind of work, with many employees terming it monotonous. The company recently announced plans to expand its systems integration (SI) business, with three new verticals defence, security and education. HCL Infosystems is also beefing up its exports portfolio.
Rolta India
Here's an IT company termed 'outperformer' by a leading stock broking company recently. Rolta offers engineering design and geospatial information services (GIS) to clients in the infrastructure, oil & gas, power and defence sectors.
The company ranks at no. 4 on fairness of appraisal system and appropriate salary hikes. Last year the company invested heavily in training and infrastructure development according to the survey.
On the challenges front, as the company's employee base grows, it is foreseeing automation of its HR process. With the Indo-US nuclear deal back on track, the Mumbai-based technology company aims to double revenues from its power plant design and automation (PDA) practice by 2011.
Microsoft India
At no. 5 on the list is the Indian subsidiary of global software giant Microsoft. First MNC in the list, the company ranks at no. 1 on overseas opportunity and company image parameters.
The company employees also rank it fairly high on 'relevance of perks and benefits' and quality of training parameter. On the challenges front, the employees rank the company low on `manager genuinely cares about my professional and personal growth' and `manager is always available when I need help or advice' parameters.
However, Microsoft India claims that it is replicating some of its global practices to resolve these issues. The company recently announced the appointment of ex-Dell chief Rajan Anandan as its MD.
Tata Consultancy Service
At no. 6 is India's largest IT services company TCS. Mumbai-based company gets top marks on overseas opportunity and company image parameters. The company also scores high on job security/stability parameter.
Last year saw the company go full stream ahead on its HR digitisation plan. The company also automated its appraisal system SPEED and learning system iCALMS (integrated competency and learning management system).
The company has also put in place a role-based structure that aims to capture the job profile across various functions. On the challenges side, the company seems to be under strain due to the current global economic crisis. The employees also gave the company low marks on salary, fairness of appraisal system, relevance of perks and benefits parameters.
The company's recent decision to delay promotions too seems to have created anguish among employees.
SAS India
Among the best workplaces to work for globally, SAS's India subsidiary seems to have successfully implemented its global HR practices in India.
The company scores highest on (1) job content parameter. The employees also rate the company relatively high on relevance of training (3), relevance of training to professional and personal growth (4) and relevance of perks and benefits (4).
Some of the global HR practices implemented by SAS India include flexible working hours, day-care benefits, concierge services and adoption assistance policy. The company also has a global online recruitment portal which helps employees seeking intra-company transfers across the globe.
On the challenges front, the employees rated the company relatively low on growth opportunities (9) and freedom to speech at meetings (9) parameters.
Synechron
At no. 8 is Synechron, a software solutions and service provider for capital markets, mortgage banking and insurance. The company gets top marks on salary and compensation parameter. The employees also rank it high on overseas opportunity parameter.
Last year company automated its HR repository by implementing HRMS system across all branches. The company also managed to reduce its attrition level and revamped its training module.
On the challenges front, the employees rated the company low on manager's concern about employee's professional; positive work environment; and personal growth and encouragement from managers to speak and express freely during meetings parameters.
The company plans to enter new geographies such as the UK, European Union, Australia, Gulf and South East Asia markets targeting BFSI clients.
Tavant Technology
Tavant Technologies, an IT solutions and services company ranks at no. 9. Tavant has been ranked no. 9 in the overall ranking and no. 2 in organisation culture/work climate and interpersonal relationships.
According to the survey, the company follows a fun-at-work model and lays stress on fulfilling the interests of employees. The company also has a forum called M-team that aims to take the employee feedback and raise various employee-related issues to the management.
On the challenges front, the company is rated low on company's leadership's contribution to the growth of the company, training and relevance of benefits and perks parameters by the employees.
Tavant specialises in building solutions and providing end-to-end services in the domains of service operations, consumer lending, ebusiness and trading and securities.
Span Infotech India
Next in the ranking, at no. 10, is outsourcing services company Span Infotech. EDB, a Norway-based IT company, recently acquired 50.1 per cent stake in Span Infotech.
The company is ranked highest (5) on exciting growth opportunities parameter, followed by amount of training; training and its relevance for professional and personal growth; company image; and company culture parameters. The employees give the company a rating of 7 on all these parameters.
The employees seems to have grouse over fairness of the appraisal system, transparency of the appraisal system and relevance of perks and benefits, with employees rating the company low on these parameters.
Span has been offering specialised services to ISVs and is strong in the insurance and financial services sector along with serving system integrators (SIs) and start-ups.
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