February 2025 | 1,022 words | 4-minute read
In a world often focussed on individual achievements, Tata Motors demonstrated the unparalleled power of collective effort and empathy. FY 2024 was a year of triumph of employees going beyond their daily duties and volunteering their physical, mental and emotional energies.
At Tata Motors, employees volunteered over 117,000 hours of service – nearly 4.65 hours per employee – most of it through unique individual efforts and rose above the ordinary to offer a beacon of hope, impacting the lives of nearly 50,000 people.
Embedding volunteering as a culture
This profound transformation wasn’t a stroke of luck. Instead, it was a manifestation of genuine and heartfelt leadership, an exemplary tale of senior leadership leading by example.
The pandemic had affected the volunteering momentum at Tata Motors; once a leader of the employee volunteering programmes across the Tata group. Recognising the intrinsic value of volunteering in advancing Tata group’s vision and global aspirations, the company’s leadership initiated a series of transformative measures. Central to this strategy was the alignment of volunteering efforts with the organisation’s goal.
Cross-Functional Team (CFT) was formed, ably supported by respective Plant Heads and CSR leads who meticulously curated volunteering opportunities and managed the logistics necessary to facilitate volunteering efforts. The support from the Employees Union representatives was also instrumental, especially in mobilising volunteers from the technician’s category, who comprise 60% of Tata Motors’ workforce.
The spirit of volunteering was reinforced through workshops conducted across plant locations at the beginning of the year. These workshops highlighted the Tata Group’s aspirations and the specific targets set for Tata Motors’ leaders, creating a unified vision for community service. Thus, making volunteering an integral part of the company’s culture.
Inspiring leadership motivates employees
From the Executive Committee dedicating their time to volunteer to the Operational and Functional Leaders; leadership inspired every team member to volunteer. Volunteering was democratised. Employees across levels were empowered to take ownership of social projects and initiatives.
The Executive Leadership consistently encouraged the teams to break new ground and tread new paths. Regular reviews ensured that volunteering initiatives remained a priority and teams identified the areas of improvement.
Recognising volunteering efforts
Furthermore, team-based volunteering initiatives were celebrated and disseminated through emails, fostering a culture of recognition and collective achievement. The leadership personally acknowledged and celebrated employees who demonstrated exemplary commitment to volunteering, amplifying their contributions during board meetings. This harmonious blend of leadership, inspiration, and precision orchestrated an achievement beyond measure.
Highlights
- Leadership aligned volunteering with organisational goal
- Plant leadership conducted workshops to create a unified vision for community service
- Volunteering was democratised, employees took ownership of social projects
- 59% employee participation – highest ever for the company
- 4.65 PCVH in FY 2024 – significant increase from 1.3 PCHV in FY 2023
Volunteering initiatives at Tata Motors
The volunteering initiatives were closely woven along the company’s CSR pillars of - Aarogya (health), Vidyadhanam (education), Kaushalya (skilling) and Vasundhara (environment) and few unique ones that focused on Inclusion, Equity and Diversity.
Here are some inspiring stories that showcase the spirit of Tata Motors:
Mobility for Inclusion: A Celebration of Unity and Diversity
Imagine a vibrant morning where the streets are filled with over 2300 enthusiastic individuals, including Tata Motors employees, community members, group companies and NGOs. This was the scene at the ‘Mobility for Inclusion’ event, a Walkathon and Cyclathon designed to champion equity and inclusion for people with disabilities and the rights of the transgender community. Amidst the crowd, 22 transgender individuals walked with pride, their spirits high as they strode alongside company leadership. The event didn’t just stop there; Tata Motors employees spent heartfelt moments with more than 230 persons with disabilities, fostering a sense of belonging and unity within the company’s premises.
Aarogya: Nurturing Health and Well-being
In various communities, Tata Motors employees transformed into health ambassadors. They organised health awareness and counselling camps, addressing crucial issues like malnutrition, feminine hygiene and leprosy. The spirit of giving extended further through blood and platelet donation camps, where employees lined up, ready to make a difference. Each drop of blood and each platelets donation was a testament to their commitment to health and well-being, reflecting a collective effort to nurture and support the community’s health.
“Giving back to society is intrinsic to Tata group’s core philosophy and ethos of social responsibility. Last year, Tata Motors’ leadership embarked on a mission to rejuvenate employee volunteering, aligning it with the company’s goal. Our strategic and inclusive approach led to a grassroot movement which was driven by the passion and commitment of our employees. I am humbled to see the way employees have embraced volunteering as a way of life at Tata Motors.” - Girish Wagh, Executive Director
Vidyadhanam: Empowering Through Education
The classrooms and community centres buzzed with excitement as Tata Motors employees shared their skills and knowledge. They conducted mock interviews, provided financial literacy sessions and led confidence-building workshops. One particularly touching initiative involved creating Braille books for the visually impaired. These efforts were not just about imparting knowledge; they were about empowering the youth, fostering inclusivity, and building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Kaushalya: Building Skills for a Brighter Future
In local communities, self-help groups flourished under the guidance of Tata Motors employees. These employees conducted capacity-building training, offering mentoring and training opportunities for young people. The sessions were filled with hope and determination, as youngsters gained the skills needed to build a more self-reliant and prosperous future. Each training session was a step towards a brighter tomorrow, fueled by the dedication and passion of the employees.
Vasundhara: Protecting and Preserving the Environment
In green spaces around various locations, Tata Motors employees rolled up their sleeves and dug into the earth. They planted trees and distributed saplings, driven by a shared commitment to protecting and preserving the environment. Each tree planted was a symbol of hope and a promise for a greener, healthier future. The sight of employees working together to nurture the environment was a powerful reminder of the impact that collective action can have on the planet.
The Transformative Impact of Volunteering
The collective efforts of Tata Motors have resulted in profound and far-reaching impacts. The company achieved its highest-ever employee volunteering participation rate at 59%. In just one-year, Per Capita Volunteering Hours (PCVH) increased from 1.3 hours to 4.65 hours. This journey is not only a testament to Tata Motors’ commitment to volunteering but also a humbling reminder of the boundless potential within each individual. Inspired by Richard Bach’s fable, ‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull’, Tata Motors employees embody the spirit of striving beyond the ordinary, driven by the desire to make a difference, one heart at a time.
