By Sonali Dhande | HR Head, Lokmanya Multipurpose Co-op Society Ltd.
Hiring the right people has always been one of the biggest challenges for any organization. And if your organization is spread across multiple cities, towns, and regions — like ours at Lokmanya Multipurpose Co-op Society — it’s not just about finding talent, but finding the right talent who fits the culture, values, and pace of the organization.
Over the years, I’ve realized that while job portals, agencies, and social media have their place in recruitment, nothing works quite like a good Employee Referral Program.
💡 Why Referrals Still Work — Even Today
Let’s be honest. Who understands your workplace better than your own employees? They live the culture, know what it takes to succeed, and are in the best position to recommend someone who would genuinely add value to the team.
When an employee refers someone, it comes with an unspoken endorsement — “I trust this person, and I believe they’ll do well here.”
That’s why referrals often lead to:
- Better quality hires
- Faster closures
- Stronger cultural fit
- And surprisingly, higher retention rates
📝 Our Experience at Lokmanya
At Lokmanya, where we manage 200+ branches and a workforce of over 1600 employees, our referral program has played a vital role in our recruitment strategy.
Whether it’s a Executive for a rural branch or a Senior Manager for our Pune head office, referrals have consistently delivered dependable and culture-fit candidates for us.
We’ve also structured our referral policy to offer clear, designation-wise referral incentives, and we ensure timely payouts — because let’s face it, everyone likes to be appreciated for a good recommendation.
And more than just a hiring tool, this initiative has become a great way to boost employee engagement. It gives our people a sense of ownership — the pride in building their own team.
🎯 Why Every Organization Should Revisit Their Referral Program
If your organization doesn’t have an active referral program, or if it hasn’t been reviewed in a while, this is your sign to act. Here’s why:
- It’s cost-effective. (Less spend on job ads and consultants)
- It’s faster. (No chasing unknown profiles)
- It improves employee morale. (Employees feel trusted and valued)
- It strengthens employer branding. (Your people become your brand ambassadors)
And the best part?
Good people know good people.
🌿 Closing Thoughts
In HR, we often talk about tools, technology, and automation — but sometimes, the simplest, most human solutions work best.
An effective Employee Referral Program isn’t just a recruitment strategy; it’s a culture-building exercise. It says to your people — “We value your judgement. Help us grow.”
And believe me, when employees feel part of your growth story, magic happens.