Latest news with #RahulArepaka
India Today
04-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Hyderabad Firm Hires Dog: 10 fun ways offices boost joy and cut work stress
Harvesting Robotics, a tech company based in Hyderabad, has hired a golden retriever named Denver to be its Chief Happiness Officer to boost employee morale and relieve stress at work. Co-founder, Rahul Arepaka, announced the new member of the team on LinkedIn, and in a heartwarming post that received many online reactions.'Meet our newest hire, Denver– Chief Happiness Officer. He doesn't code. He doesn't care. "He just shows up, steals hearts, and keeps the energy high," the LinkedIn post are known to significantly enhance a person's happiness and overall well-being. Having pets in the workplace can help build relationships, reduce stress levels, and boost productivity. Nowadays, mental health and work-life balance are just as important as financial rewards and promotions. As a result, organisations around the world are elevating their employee benefits. Today's workplaces are not limited to traditional perks; they now feature amenities like gaming zones, meditation rooms, and even sleep pods. This shift creates a more enjoyable and morale-boosting atmosphere, lowers stress, and aims to improve employee motivation while promoting employee explore some of the most creative ways companies are fostering happiness at work, starting with our very own four-legged officer in WAYS OFFICES PROMOTE A HAPPY AND RELAXED ENVIRONMENT1. PET POLICIESadvertisementPet policies are becoming a common way to reduce stress and improve happiness at work. Employees can periodically break away from their desks to spend a little time playing with their furry friends, which can elevate their spirits and promote social interactions.2. GAME ROOMS AND BREAK ROOMSSome offices have dedicated game rooms or breakout areas that have table tennis, football, board games or video games. These areas are fun opportunities for employees to take a break, or else socialise and get to know their team better, and they can also provide some mileage in breaking up the work day.3. QUIET ROOMS AND NAP PODSSome offices have quiet rooms/nap rooms that can be used to take naps, meditate or simply have some alone time. Short naps and quiet time can all contribute to boosting energy levels, focus and wellbeing.4. CLOSE TO NATURAL ELEMENTSHours and hours spent indoors are not good for our minds and bodies. Being surrounded by plants, natural light or natural elements, like stone or wood, creates a relaxing environment. Moreover, access to greenery and sunlight has also been found to reduce stress and elevate mood.5. THEMED AND CREATIVE COMMUNAL SPACESMany spaces have attempted to create a themed break room - whether it be an Italian caf-style lounge, or a meditation corner - simply taking a break in these spaces will invariably change your state of mind. And of course, these spaces promote creativity and inspire relaxation, all very conducive to a thriving workplace!advertisement6. PERSONALISING THE WORKPLACEAllowing employees to modify their workspace by including personal touches such as pictures, memorabilia, or personal items will allow them to feel more at home and truly valued. This ability to express a bit of individuality can increase satisfaction and pride in their work.7. WELLNESS PROGRAMS, ON-SITE ACTIVITIESHaving on-site classes for yoga, meditation, fitness challenges, or even on-site massage therapy can help work-related physical and mental well-being. These activities would help employees manage their stress, feel supported, and remain happy at work.8. FUN TRADITIONS AND SOME GLORIOUSLY' THEMED DAYSCreating periodic themed dress-up days, harmless pranks, or amusing office traditions will lighten the mood, and allow employees to engage with one another and relieve some stress. Also, having birthdays, anniversaries, or other office milestones will also help foster a sense of belonging.9. SOCIAL EVENTS AND VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES Having informal chats, an established book club, an office band, or group days, and volunteering as a team can foster a social connection. Developing social connections and teams helps the office become a more welcoming environment for everyone and makes the work experience better DIGITAL DETOX ZONESSome offices are bringing in "zones" where welcoming digital devices are not allowed to offer the opportunity for a mental break when employees are no longer looking at screens, paying attention to notifications in the background, etc. Locations like this help migrate minds to the mental state needed to unwind, relax, and further explore their unconventional strategies reveal how a happy and relaxed office space is much more than a few perks—it's about having people feel comfortable, valued, and motivated to do better work.
News18
30-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Hyderabad Firm Hires Dog As Chief Happiness Officer: How Pets Can Boost Morale
Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: A Hyderabad-based startup hired Denver, a golden retriever, as its Chief Happiness Officer (CHO) in an effort to improve staff morale and reduce stress at work. Hyderabad-based tech firm, Harvesting Robotics, has hired a golden retriever named Denver as its Chief Happiness Officer to improve staff morale and reduce stress at work. The co-founder, Rahul Arepaka, introduced their new team member to the internet in a heartwarming LinkedIn post that garnered significant online reactions. 'Meet our newest hire, Denver – Chief Happiness Officer. He doesn't code. He doesn't care. He just shows up, steals hearts, and keeps the energy up," the LinkedIn post read. 'CHO seems exhausted with the responsibility of making everyone happy," one user chuckled. 'Hey Denver Pawlson, it's a tough job you hold, pal. I can see the stress showing in your eyes. Need to call on those perks that your JD says you have," a second comment reads. Pets are recognised to significantly improve a person's happiness and general well-being. Pets at work can foster relationships, lower stress levels, and increase productivity. Here are five benefits of having pet-friendly workplaces. Stress Reduction Pets help employees feel more at ease, reduce anxiety, and create a more tranquil work environment by lowering cortisol levels. Improves Productivity Taking brief mental rests with dogs helps employees avoid burnout and return to work with greater energy and focus. Improves Motivation Pets provide happiness, friendship, and laughter, all of which can improve team morale and foster a more positive workplace atmosphere. Promotes Better Work-Life Balance Bringing pets to work reduces anxiety about leaving them home alone, which enhances everyday contentment and emotional wellness. Pets serve as social catalysts, encouraging stronger team connections, a more cooperative atmosphere, and conversations among coworkers. Employees who work in pet-friendly surroundings are more likely to stay with their firm, according to research from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), and 91% say they feel more engaged at work, per the Indian Express. Upon deciding to bring in a pet to enhance the well-being of its employees, Harvesting Robotics was showered with affection and support. First Published: May 30, 2025, 11:16 IST
Mint
29-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
'Pawsitive vibes': Meet Denver, Hyderabad startup's Chief Happiness Officer who 'steals hearts, and keeps energy up'
A LinkedIn post went viral after the co-founder of a Hyderabad-based tech start-up announced that his company hired a dog as its Chief Happiness Officer (CHO). The heartwarming post, which includes a photo of a golden retriever named Denver, has since garnered thousands of likes. In the LinkedIn post, Harvesting Robotics co-founder Rahul Arepaka said: 'Meet our newest hire, Denver – Chief Happiness Officer. He doesn't code. He doesn't care. He just shows up, steals hearts, and keeps the energy up. Also, we're officially pet-friendly now. Best decision. BTW: He's got the best perks in the company.' The start-up has hired Denver to help its employees deal with work-related stress and keep the office environment energised. Big companies such as Amazon, Google, and Zappos have embraced this trend for years, with many studies saying that having pets around can ease stress, spark conversations, and even boost productivity. Denver also has an official profile on LinkedIn, wherein it reads: 'As Chief Happiness Officer, I lead the charge in creating a positive, inclusive, and energized work environment: - Providing on-demand stress relief through timely walk-ins. - Monitoring team morale and issuing barks when affection quotas aren't met. - Participating in key meetings (especially the ones with snacks). - Boosting productivity through spontaneous play breaks. - Welcoming guests, vendors, and new hires with enthusiasm and curiosity." Rahul Arepaka's LinkedIn post has also attracted several comments. Some users expressed love for Denver, while others praised the company's decision. Here are some of the comments written by users on the post – – "Love this, won't mind having this kind of joyous and cute colleague." – "CHO seems exhausted with the responsibility of making everyone happy :).' – "Pets bring so much joy Glad to see you embracing this. Awesome initiative." – "Pawsitive vibes ahead." – 'Lovely hire indeed he would steal hearts…' – "Love this post! Denver's role sounds pawsitively perfect! He has got the best job in the company spreading smiles and tail wags, just pure joy our furry friends bring. So happy to see pets bringing happiness to the workplace and official part of the team."
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Hyderabad startup hires golden retriever as Chief Happiness Officer, and the Internet can't handle the cuteness
In the most heartwarming 'new hire' story you'll read all week, a Hyderabad-based startup has gone delightfully viral for hiring a golden retriever named Denver as its newest team member with a tail-wagging twist. Denver's official title? Chief Happiness Officer (CHO). And no, he doesn't code. He cuddles. The LinkedIn post that is breaking the internet Harvesting Robotics, a forward-thinking startup working on sustainable laser-weeding tech for farmers, made this adorable announcement through a LinkedIn post by co-founder Rahul Arepaka. The post, which quickly gathered thousands of likes and an avalanche of love-filled comments, introduced Denver with a perfect blend of sass and snuggles: 'Meet our newest hire, Denver - Chief Happiness Officer. He doesn't code. He doesn't care. He just shows up, steals hearts, and keeps the energy up. Also, we're officially pet-friendly now. Best decision. BTW: He's got the best perks in the company'. Naturally, the internet melted faster than a pup in a sunbeam. Internet reacts to Denver's hiring as a CHO Denver, who now trots around the Harvesting Robotics office stealing snacks, smiles, and snuggles, has unofficially become the most beloved new recruit on LinkedIn. With silky ears, golden fluff, and an unbeatable tail-wag-to-stress ratio, he's redefining workplace wellness, one belly rub at a time. Reactions poured in faster than a pup chasing a tennis ball. 'CHO seems exhausted with the responsibility of making everyone happy,' quipped one user. '4 paws, 0 stress & 100% tail-wagging positivity!' wrote another. 'We need more CHOs – global mandate and perfect RTO vision!' demanded a fan. And perhaps the most relatable: 'I wouldn't have left my seat, wouldn't have let him leave mine for sure.' The corporate initiatives towards a pet-friendly workspace continue to increase As companies around the world explore more empathetic and wellness-oriented work cultures, the rise of pet-friendly offices is becoming a tail-wagging trend. Giants like Amazon, Google, and Zappos have long welcomed furry friends into the workplace, with studies showing that animals help reduce stress, boost productivity, and encourage collaboration. In fact, research from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) found that 87% of employees in pet-friendly offices are more likely to stay with their company, and 91% feel more engaged. So while Denver may not be squashing bugs in the code, he's absolutely squashing stress in the office and let's be honest, that might be even more important. With four paws, a big heart, and no deadlines to meet, Denver is making the world and Harvesting Robotics a happier place, one woof at a time. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
NDTV
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Hyderabad Startup Hires Golden Retriever As 'Chief Happiness Officer', Internet Approves
A Hyderabad-based robotics startup is winning hearts online, not for its tech, but for its latest recruit: a golden retriever named Denver, appointed as the company's Chief Happiness Officer (CHO). Harvesting Robotics, which focuses on sustainable agriculture through laser-weeding technology, recently welcomed Denver to its team. Co-founder Rahul Arepaka introduced the four-legged colleague in a now-viral LinkedIn post, saying, "He doesn't code. He doesn't care. He just shows up, steals hearts, and keeps the energy up." The post has received over 12,000 likes and hundreds of comments, with many praising the startup's pet-friendly policy and Denver's undeniable charm. "We're officially pet-friendly now. Best decision," Arepaka added, noting that Denver enjoys the "best perks in the company." Social media users were quick to respond with enthusiasm. "Looks like Denver is already the top performer in the vibes department," one user wrote. Another joked, "CHO seems exhausted with the responsibility of making everyone happy."
