HR Representative

Good morning, everyone! I hope you’re all doing well today. I’m here to discuss something that’s very important for your well-being at the workplace—our Employee State Insurance (ESI) Policy. My aim is to help you understand its purpose, how it works, and, most importantly, how it benefits you and your families.

So, what is ESI? In simple terms, ESI is a government-mandated insurance scheme under the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948. It provides social security to employees like you in case of sickness, injury, maternity, or any unfortunate events that can affect your health or income. It’s a safety net to ensure that you and your loved ones are financially secure during challenging times.

Now, let me quickly break it down for you:

  1. Eligibility: If your monthly gross salary is ₹21,000 or less (₹25,000 for persons with disabilities), you are covered under the ESI scheme.
  2. Contribution: You contribute 0.75% of your wages, and the employer (us) contributes 3.25%. Together, these contributions fund your ESI benefits.
  3. Benefits: There are several benefits—medical treatment for you and your family, compensation for loss of income due to illness or injury, maternity benefits, and even financial assistance for dependents in case of an unfortunate death or disability.

I know this sounds like a lot, but trust me, the benefits outweigh the small contributions. I’ll pause here to address any questions you may have before we go deeper into the details. Please feel free to ask anything.



Link to Policy

Employee

Thank you, Meera. You mentioned medical treatment—what kind of medical facilities are we entitled to under ESI?

HR Representative

Great question, Under ESI, you and your dependent family members are entitled to comprehensive medical care. This includes consultations, medicines, diagnostics, specialist treatments, and hospitalization if required—all free of cost at ESI hospitals and dispensaries. If you’re unable to access ESI facilities, arrangements are made with tie-up hospitals near your location.

Employee

You mentioned compensation for loss of income. Can you explain how that works if we fall sick or get injured?

HR Representative

Absolutely, Let’s say you’re unable to work due to an illness or an injury at work—ESI provides cash benefits during that period. For sickness, you get around 70% of your wages for up to 91 days in a year. For work-related injuries, there’s a temporary or permanent disability benefit where the compensation depends on the nature of the injury. The idea is to make sure you still have an income while you focus on recovery.

Employee

I’m a little unclear about maternity benefits. How does ESI support women employees during that time?

HR Representative

That’s a very important point, ESI provides maternity benefits to women employees to ensure they have financial and medical support during and after childbirth. You’re entitled to around 100% of your wages for 26 weeks, and this can even be extended in certain circumstances. In addition, the ESI scheme covers pre-natal and post-natal medical expenses. This ensures that mothers can recover and care for their newborn without any financial worries.

Employee

What happens if we never use these benefits? Does that mean we lose out on the money we contributed?

HR Representative

That’s a valid concern, and I appreciate you raising it. Think of ESI as a safety cushion—it’s there when you need it. Even if you don’t use the benefits personally, you’re still contributing to a system that helps your colleagues, friends, and their families in tough times. It’s like an umbrella: you may not need it on sunny days, but it’s a lifesaver during a storm. Besides, ESI also covers unexpected incidents, so it’s always better to be prepared.

Employee

Are there any steps we need to follow to claim ESI benefits when required?

HR Representative

Good question, Yes, there are simple steps:

  1. First, ensure you have your ESI number, which we provide during your onboarding.
  2. In case of illness, injury, or any need for medical treatment, visit the nearest ESI dispensary or hospital with your ESI card. They’ll guide you on the treatment or process.
  3. For cash benefits—like sickness, maternity, or disability—submit the necessary forms through your HR team. Don’t worry, we’ll support you throughout the process.

We’ll also share a step-by-step guide and contact numbers for your convenience.

HR Representative

I hope this clears up some of the doubts you may have. Remember, ESI is not just a policy—it’s a promise to protect you and your family when life takes unexpected turns. You contribute a small amount today, but the peace of mind and financial security it provides is priceless.

If you still have questions, feel free to drop by my office or email me anytime. We’ll also have follow-up sessions on this. Thank you all for your time, and let’s continue looking out for one another!

Link to Policy