Insights from the HR leader at Yandex in Central Asia
In today's competitive talent market, salaries alone are not enough to retain employees. What truly keeps them engaged? In this episode of the Future HR podcast, Maria Maurus—HR leader for Yandex in Central Asia—shares her insights on creating a work environment that people want to return to. We highlight key takeaways from their conversation.
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Competition for top talent is fierce today, with material benefits losing their edge as primary competitive advantages. The focus shifts towards working conditions: how psychologically safe and comfortable is the company's environment, and what measures does it take to care for its employees?
Yandex's philosophy is simple: make the office so attractive that people will want to come back. It's about providing comfort rather than enforcing attendance. Employees can choose between quiet capsules or bustling open spaces, guided by principles of freedom and responsibility without rigid attendance tracking.
The famous Yandex office in Almaty exemplifies modern workspace design with flexible working arrangements. Comfortable physical surroundings and autonomy become powerful factors in retaining talent.
Communities and shared activities indirectly relate to professional life but significantly contribute to feelings of belonging and psychological safety. Kazakhstan’s hub boasts 17 diverse communities, both formal and informal.
At Yandex, wellness initiatives aren't just trends—they're seen as essential investments. Employee health directly impacts productivity, making employee well-being a priority through various programs aimed at improving mental and physical health.
A significant aspect of overall health and well-being, Yandex actively works toward supporting mental health:
Informal interactions like tea breaks might not resonate positively with everyone, which underscores the importance of clearly communicating corporate culture to foster inclusivity where every individual feels valued.
Health-conscious habits are encouraged within the organization. Yandex supports active lifestyles through several mechanisms:
Employees have flexibility in choosing formats: solo workouts, group sessions with trainers, or joining larger teams for marathons.
Challenging economic times require companies to rethink their approach to wellness initiatives. Yandex embraces pragmatism and adaptability:
Simple yet effective solutions include pasta parties for staff or internal expert-led talks.
Regular surveys help gauge employee preferences and identify underperforming initiatives.
“We act like mathematicians: formulating hypotheses and testing them. If something doesn't work out, we stop and try another,” says Maria.
If few attend a particular activity, compensation may cease entirely. However, HR can assist in finding affordable alternatives, encouraging team members to pool resources—a fair and mature solution.
Within five to ten years, caring for employee well-being in Central Asia will no longer be an exclusive perk—it will become a basic necessity.
Yandex demonstrates that investing in a culture based on freedom, trust, and genuine concern isn't merely an expense—it's the most valuable asset leading to loyalty, engagement, and high team performance.
