Tuhin Kanta Pandey, the newly appointed Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), began his tenure by meeting employees on his first full day in office. His focus was on understanding their concerns regarding morale, work targets, and key responsibility areas (KRAs).
Direct Engagement with Employees
According to sources from SEBI headquarters, Pandey personally met several employees, with a special emphasis on junior staff members. His interactions were aimed at reassuring them and addressing their concerns.
“It’s encouraging to see the chairman directly engaging with employees from day one, especially discussing their concerns about targets and KRAs,” said a source familiar with the discussions.
Addressing Employee Concerns Amid Attrition
Pandey’s proactive stance comes at a crucial time for SEBI, as the organization has been facing high employee attrition rates. The issue has sparked concerns about the work culture within the regulatory body.
In the past year, SEBI employees had staged silent protests regarding HR-related issues. They had also submitted a letter to the finance ministry listing their demands for both monetary and non-monetary benefits.
One of the key concerns raised was the KRAs assigned at the beginning of the year and the monthly targets that were closely monitored during performance reviews. Employees had also brought these issues to the attention of the former revenue secretary.
A Step Toward Institutional Reforms?
Pandey’s early engagement with employees signals his intent to address workplace challenges and improve SEBI’s internal environment. His leadership will be closely watched as he takes steps to enhance employee satisfaction while ensuring the regulator’s efficiency and effectiveness in overseeing India’s financial markets.
