Top start-up boss rewards team with ESOPs

At a time when reports of job losses across sectors have kept employees on the edge, Jitendra Gupta, CEO of Jupiter, has kept morale high by ensuring that there are no salary cuts. In fact, the digital banking startup gave a bonus to its staff last month in the form of stock options at zero cost.“We have also hired 20+ people during the past three months on the tech and product side,” Gupta tells ETPanache. “Not impacting employee’s jobs or salaries has been a good indicator. It provides adequate comfort and keeps them aligned to long-term objectives.”Hiccups and hacksHowever, it’s not been smooth sailing. Gupta shares that he did not find work from home comfortable but settled down after he realised how productive it can be.“Now, I have a dedicated work space at my Mumbai home. My kids are not allowed to enter the room from 9.45 am to 6.30 pm,” he says. The biggest challenge for the 38 -year-old, however, are the backto-back video calls. “I have tried pacing out calls now and keep about an hour or so of thinking time every day,” he says. “It gives me enough space to think from an outside perspective. Team meetings are still a challenge as there are no informal sessions. I miss that part a lot.”Down timeOnce work hours are over, Gupta makes it a point to avoid office calls. “I am spending more time with my kids, aged three and one. Earlier, it was just the weekends. So we are all happy on that front,” he says, adding that the lockdown has also given him an opportunity to start reading more.He also uses the free time to catch up with fellow founders for advice. “I generally call Amrish [Rau of Pine Labs] or Sandeep Tandon [Quant Capital]. It helps to discuss quick ideas and get their views,” Gupta says.With his office just five minutes away from his home, Gupta shares that the thought of going back to work has crossed his mind multiple times. “But looking at the situation, the risk of resuming is higher than the reward,” he says.76852453

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