Tax dept starts ‘Coffee with Commissioner’

It is not just private employers who have devised ways to reduce stress at the workplace and boost employee morale.

The state’s sales tax department at Mazgaon, employing around 800 people, has started a scheme called ‘Coffee with Commissioner’.

Under this, the junior-most employees, too, can get a chance to chat with the sales tax commissioner over a cup of coffee.

Swati Kale, deputy commissioner of sales tax, said, “The idea was put into practice six months ago, and has been successful. We give the best performing employee an opportunity to meet the commissioner over coffee.”

The department has laid down some targets for various categories of employees. Those who have achieved the targets or have done something extraordinary to improve the department’s working are chosen.

Another scheme to boost morale — the ‘Open Hour’ that takes place once a month — allows employees to give their suggestions directly to the commissioner.

Other ideas include a workshop on drum therapy that employees can participate in. “This is part of musical therapy that makes employees less stressed,” said Kale.

In December, the department issued a circular about the setting up of a film society, but the idea did not take off. The plan was to screen a film every weekend, mostly on Saturdays. But the club was wound up after the first few screenings because of employee criticism.

Kale said, “The idea was to show documentaries on ending corruption, personality development and the development of soft skills. We did show a feature film called Harishchandrachi Factory, but that was because of the film’s message: goals can be achieved if one works hard enough.”