Sour dates in India’s Silicon Valley

Fasciinatinglittle piece on how the Indian IT sector is using social incentives to keep workers and on the impact of this on the family.

Bangalore, November 25
While Wipro software engineer Gaurav Nigam today denied that a dating allowance existed in Wipro Technologies, the issue has lifted the lid on the policy of the HR departments of software and call centre companies that encourages employees to bond at work.

Software companies and call centre managements may not be giving dating allowances, but they pick up the tabs for a variety of things - multiplex tickets, dinners and even laundry. This is done to keep the employee in a circle consisting of his colleagues and helps to build loyalty, besides keeping potential poachers at bay.