Ishneet Bedi, People Engagement Manager in Gurgaon, shares her journey of empathy, adaptability, and fostering a positive work culture at Metyis. Her passion for creating inclusive environments and her holistic approach to employee engagement come alive as she draws on a diverse HR background and personal experiences.

Meet Ishneet Bedi, People Engagement Manager from Gurgaon

Growing up with empathy: shaping the foundations of my career

Reflecting on my early life and how it shaped my values as an HR professional, I can say that my upbringing and experiences played a significant role in forming who I am today. Growing up, I was surrounded by a family culture that emphasised empathy, listening, and the value of community support. This environment taught me the importance of understanding others' perspectives and making people feel heard and valued qualities that are integral to effective human resource management.

A big part of my early years was my dog, who brought me a lot of joy and taught me invaluable lessons about responsibility, unconditional love, and loyalty. Having a pet taught me how to care for another being and reinforced my understanding of compassion and patience, traits that have been essential in my HR career.

My education and early work experiences also reinforced these values. Early internships and entry-level roles showed me firsthand the impact that supportive management and a strong company culture can have on employee morale and productivity. These lessons underscored the importance of building trust and fostering open communication, which I carry into my current HR practices. I believe in creating environments where employees feel safe to express themselves, seek feedback, and grow professionally.

Outside of work, my hobbies—reading books, travelling, and working out—further enrich my perspective as an HR professional. Reading expands my knowledge and helps me stay curious and informed about different aspects of life and work. Travelling allows me to experience diverse cultures and meet people from various backgrounds, which deepens my appreciation for inclusivity and adaptability. Working out keeps me disciplined and focused, teaching me resilience and the importance of mental and physical well-being—values I advocate for in the workplace as well.

It’s this blend of empathy from my early life, lessons from having a beloved pet, insights from my career, and personal interests that have shaped my commitment.

Fueling a passion for positive work cultures

My interest in creating a positive work culture and driving employee experience is rooted in the belief that people are at the heart of any organisation's success. This passion has shaped my career, particularly at Metyis, where I’ve focused on fostering an environment of trust, open communication, and collaboration. I have led initiatives that prioritise feedback, recognise achievements, and assess employee needs to boost engagement, productivity, and innovation.

At Metyis, leading performance management processes has reinforced that employee experience goes beyond outcomes—it’s about the journey, support, and learning provided. My language skills and cultural exposure have been key in bridging communication and understanding diverse perspectives, fostering inclusivity, and promoting a sense of belonging within our global teams. This experience allows me to design people-centric policies that drive both individual and organisational growth.

Empathy, active listening, and commitment to employee development guide my approach. I’ve seen that when employees feel valued, they contribute more meaningfully, boosting productivity and loyalty. This holistic focus continues to shape the positive and inclusive work culture I strive to cultivate.

From psychology to people operations: my path into HR

I entered HR driven by curiosity, a passion for connecting with people, and a desire to enhance workplaces. With a background in psychology, I gained insight into human behaviour, fuelling my interest in organisational dynamics. My career began in HR operations, where I managed onboarding and employee data, learning the value of precision, efficiency, and clear communication to build trust and support employee experiences.

Advancing into the HR Business Partner role, I shifted from operational tasks to aligning HR strategies with business goals and fostering growth-focused environments. I discovered my passion for guiding teams through change, coaching leaders, and cultivating a culture of development and engagement. These experiences shaped my proactive approach to HR as a strategic partner committed to people’s well-being and organisational success.

Building a toolkit of diverse HR skills

My diverse experiences in HR functions have significantly shaped my skills at Metyis. As an HR Generalist, I developed a solid foundation in onboarding, policy implementation, and compliance, ensuring best practices in HR management. My exposure to operations and business functions allowed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of aligning HR strategies with business objectives and enhancing cross-functional communication.

In the realm of employee relations, I strengthened my conflict resolution and negotiation skills, fostering a positive work environment and building employee trust in HR. Additionally, my involvement in performance management has given me expertise in designing appraisal systems and providing feedback, which is crucial for employee growth and enhancing overall performance. These varied experiences have equipped me with a well-rounded skill set that I bring to my role at Metyis, enabling me to contribute effectively across multiple HR domains.

Life as a people engagement manager at Metyis

As the People Engagement Manager at Metyis, I focus on fostering a positive workplace culture and enhancing employee engagement. My day-to-day activities include engagement initiatives, where I design and execute team-building activities, recognition events, and wellness programs, alongside organizing feedback sessions to gauge employee sentiments. I also handle communication and feedback by conducting surveys and one-on-one check-ins, gathering insights to measure the effectiveness of our engagement strategies.

There’s also a component of my work that involves collaborating with leadership to ensure our initiatives align with the company’s vision, providing data-driven insights that support informed decision-making. Onboarding and training are also an important aspect of my role since I oversee the integration of new employees into our company culture and facilitate training sessions focused on communication and teamwork. Lastly, policy compliance is essential, as I ensure that all engagement programs adhere to HR policies and stay aligned with industry best practices.

I balance these responsibilities through effective prioritisation and regular team check-ins, allowing for strategic planning and adjustments based on employee feedback. The most exciting part of my role is witnessing the positive impact of our initiatives on employee morale and productivity, contributing to a supportive and vibrant workplace culture at Metyis.

Bringing a personal passion for social initiatives to HR

One of my strongest personal passions outside of work is organising social initiatives. This passion has significantly influenced my approach to fostering employee engagement at Metyis.

Organising social initiatives has taught me the importance of creating inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and connected. I integrate this into my role by designing engagement programs that prioritise inclusivity, collaboration, and recognition. I draw from my experience in bringing diverse people together to create meaningful connections, which helps shape team-building activities and cultural events that resonate with employees.

Additionally, my background in these initiatives has honed my ability to listen actively and adapt programs based on feedback, ensuring our engagement efforts align with employees’ needs. This passion drives me to cultivate a workplace culture where employees feel a strong sense of belonging and motivation.

The joy of growing with Metyis

The most rewarding part of being part of a fast-growing, international company like Metyis lies in the unique opportunities it provides for continuous growth and development. Working in such an environment means being exposed to diverse perspectives and collaborating with talented teams from different backgrounds, which enriches both personal and professional experiences. The fast-paced nature of the company pushes you to adapt, innovate, and develop new skills quickly, fostering a sense of resilience and adaptability.

This environment not only offers a dynamic, ever-evolving work culture but also allows employees to take ownership of impactful projects, contributing to significant business outcomes. Such experiences build confidence and provide an invaluable learning curve that extends beyond the professional realm into personal growth, enhancing leadership, problem-solving abilities, and cross-cultural communication skills.

Looking ahead: trends in HR that excite me

Exciting trends in HR include the integration of AI and machine learning, which streamline processes like talent acquisition and employee engagement; the shift toward remote and hybrid work models that prioritise flexibility; a growing emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to foster varied perspectives; an increased focus on employee wellbeing and mental health through supportive programs; and the trend toward personalised employee experiences that cater to individual needs.

To adapt to these changes, I plan to leverage technology, implement flexible work policies, champion DEI, prioritise mental health resources, and gather regular feedback to tailor our HR strategies effectively, creating a supportive and responsive workplace.

Lessons learned: adaptability in action

One of the most valuable lessons I've learned in my journey is the importance of adaptability. In the fast-paced world of HR, I've faced numerous challenges that required quick pivots, whether adjusting to new technologies or responding to employee needs. This lesson has shaped my approach by fostering a mindset of continuous learning and openness to change.

For example, when implementing the Background Verification (BGV) process for new joiners, adaptability allowed me to address concerns and refine the process based on feedback. As an HR Business Partner at Metyis, this adaptability remains crucial. It enables me to respond effectively to evolving employee expectations and organisational goals, ensuring that HR initiatives align with the company's objectives while supporting our workforce.

Ultimately, adaptability empowers me to navigate challenges, drive innovation, and achieve better outcomes for both employees and the organisation.