Above The Line
Expect completely new approach to employee policies: DDB Mudra’s Rita Verma
MUMBAI: The Covid2019 outbreak has pushed HR departments to the top of the priority chain. The challenge before them is to rebuild and reinvent workplaces to safeguard the lives of their employees. In an interaction with indiantelevision.com, DDB Mudra Group EVP and head HR Rita Verma highlights different measures taken to ensure a safe work environment as the country phases out of lockdown and looks forward to reopening offices.
Excerpts:
What measures have you been taking so far to relieve your employees from mental and emotional stress?
People are our most important asset and we’ve always kept their physical and mental wellbeing in mind. During this lockdown, the biggest challenge for people has been uncertainty of the situation. The key to easing emotional and physical shifts as we all go through this together is to talk openly. So we’ve been extra mindful of keeping all communication regular, honest and authentic. Every leader has been completely accessible and is actively reaching out to their teams. We invested in a mental health partner last year because we would like our people to reach their highest potential, cope with life’s curveballs and be an active member in their relationships, workplace and community at large.
Everyone is juggling their own unique personal living situation, so offering people some flexibility in work schedules and encouraging them to take time off if they feel overwhelmed has been critical. In a time like this, sometimes you don’t know what will make you feel better, so we’ve offered physical fitness sessions, virtual meditation, tips to manage stress at work and home. The idea is to help people tackle whatever roadblock they may be facing in a given week. Some of these sessions are led by external instructors, while in many cases our own people have stepped up to the plate. Take Krupa from our 22feet Tribal Worldwide team who is a certified trainer and has volunteered to run a fitness class. Things like these make a difference.
Once office resumes, how will you deal with the increased focus, and in some cases paranoia, regarding health and wellness?
For starters, we will let people decide when they’re ready to return after the government authorities declare it safe to do so. No organisation, which depends on the creativity and freedom of thought of their people, can be productive if their people show up at work anxious. We’re preparing all our offices keeping in mind sanitation and social-distancing guidelines. But all of this is when our people feel ready to return.
How are you planning to take care of employees’ psychological state when they get back to work?
By having an open dialogue with leaders, HR leads with the support of counsellors, and in general having lots of constructive conversations to ensure timely addressing of queries regarding safety and wellbeing of our people.
According to you, what will the world of HR look like after the lockdown is lifted?
HR gives importance to the health of employees and their families. Productivity matrix will be a key focus. Different functions will be analysed and their ways of working will be looked into. Re-skilling, restarting and realignment will be the newer approach.
How are you preparing to bring back your workforce once the lockdown is lifted?
We will be phasing out the employees transition once the lockdown is lifted. Flexibility will be given to join the office. Work-from-home will be encouraged until things start getting better.
Are there new procedures and practices that are being taken up for the betterment of employees by the HR departments?
There will be a completely new approach to employee policies. A lot of focus on their health, remote work productivity, lesser crowds in office and virtual engagements will continue. But the lens through which we will continue to look at our policies will remain and that is empathy; to come out of this as healthy and strong as possible.
What social distancing and sanitization measures are in place in your company?
Offices have been regularly sanitised even during lockdown; those practices will continue, thermal checks on all employees and visitors will be mandatory, use of sanitizers, gloves and masks will also be mandatory for everyone.
Generally, the work in the advertising industry begins late. How will you address that issue now?
Our current work-from-home situation has already instilled a lot of discipline and adoption of tools in order to make things work remotely. People are realising the benefits of this. The focus will be completely on bringing the best out of our people and therefore an increased focus on productivity of employees. Not everything is solved through a company policy alone, but largely through office culture and ours is seen in the continued good work our teams are doing. So far, we have found that common work hours are a useful way to make the most of everyone’s time.
Open Interest plays a simple but important role in the futures and options market. It shows how many outstanding contracts are active at any moment. Traders often rely on it to understand market strength and possible trend direction. When you compare Nifty OI Data with Bank Nifty OI Data, you get a clearer view of how the broader market and the banking sector behave. Both indices move differently, and their OI patterns reveal useful clues that help traders stay ahead.
Why Open Interest Matters
Open Interest shows whether money is entering or leaving the market. It also helps traders judge whether a trend has real strength. Prices may rise sharply, but if OI does not support the move, the rally often fades. Many beginners focus only on price, but OI adds a second layer of understanding. It gives a more complete picture of market sentiment and participation.
OI rises when new contracts are created. It falls when contracts are closed. This simple behaviour makes it a reliable indicator. It does not predict the market, but it provides context that can support better decision-making.
How Nifty OI Data Works
Nifty represents the broader market. It has a mix of sectors. Its OI behaviour usually reflects the mood of the entire economy. When Nifty OI Data rises with price, it suggests strong momentum. When both fall together, the market is losing interest. If Nifty rises but OI falls, traders may be covering shorts rather than building new positions. This situation often creates confusion, but it also warns traders to be careful.
The Nifty tends to move steadily. Its OI patterns are slower, and they often react to global trends. Many traders watch these levels every day because they help track market direction without relying only on price action.
How Bank Nifty OI Data Works
Bank Nifty focuses only on the banking sector. It moves faster and reacts naturally to interest rates, economic signals and liquidity conditions. Bank Nifty OI Data changes quickly, and this volatility gives traders early signals. A sudden spike in OI with a sharp price movement usually shows aggressive positions. Bank Nifty often leads the market because banking activity strongly influences economic growth.
When Bank Nifty price rises along with OI, traders usually expect more upside. When both fall together, the trend weakens. If the price drops and OI rises, short positions may be increasing. This behaviour is common in Bank Nifty, and it shows why its OI data is more sensitive than Nifty’s.
Difference Between Nifty OI Data and Bank Nifty OI Data
The two indices respond to different forces. Nifty reacts to broad economic conditions. Bank Nifty responds to sector-specific triggers. This makes their OI patterns unique. Traders get a deeper understanding of the market when they watch both.
Here is a simple comparison:
This table shows how each index behaves. Nifty gives a calm picture. Bank Nifty provides sharper signals. Many traders use both to balance their market view.
How Traders Use OI in Real Trading
Traders combine OI with price action. They also track key strike levels with heavy open interest. When those levels shift, the market often makes a move. For example, sudden changes at important support or resistance levels can guide intraday and positional strategies. Traders often stay alert when OI builds near round numbers because large participants prefer these zones.
OI also helps identify whether a breakout is real. When price breaks an important level and OI rises, the move usually lasts longer. Breakouts with falling OI are less reliable. Both Nifty and Bank Nifty show these behaviours, but Bank Nifty displays them more sharply.
When to Trust OI Signals
OI is useful, but it works best with price strength. Traders should confirm patterns before acting. A strong trend with weak OI may reverse without warning. A weak trend with strong OI may surprise traders with a sudden expansion. Market news can also create temporary spikes.
Using Nifty and Bank Nifty OI together keeps traders prepared. When both align, market direction becomes clearer. When they differ, the market may move sideways or shift soon.
Conclusion
Nifty OI Data and Bank Nifty OI Data offer valuable insights into market sentiment. They help traders judge the strength of trends and understand where money is flowing. Nifty brings stability. Bank Nifty brings speed. Together, they form a balanced view of the market. Traders who read OI carefully gain confidence and make more informed choices.
If you track these OI patterns regularly, you will understand the market better and respond more effectively to changes.
