This Chennai tea shop offers better perks than most employers!
The worrisome state of India's job sector has led to job loss fears among employees who are just holding on to their jobs; employee perks have started becoming a distant dream. However, Chennai's Chicago tea stall is unaffected by this situation. From giving clothes allowances to five-star lunches to gold rings, it continues to set the benchmark for employee perks/benefits. Find out why!
Located near Kamarajar Avenue in Adyar area
Chicago tea stall in Chennai's Adyar area is a small shop, but what sets it apart from other stalls are its values and the way it treats its workers. It was started 33 years ago by Sukumaran who came to Chennai in search of work. He worked in several tea stalls and also fought a legal battle with an employer before starting his business.
Why is the tea stall named after Chicago?
Having experienced the poor working conditions in tea stalls, Sukumaran decided not to let his employees experience the same. He said, "Chicago is a city in America where the first protests for eight-hour work shifts broke out." He added, "In my shop too, I want to emphasize on providing benefits and decent working conditions for my employees. Thus the name."
Sukumaran is an active CPI (M) member
Sukumaran said: "As a communist, it is my duty to ensure my employees are happy. When someone has worked with me for long enough, I set up a new shop and let them run it. They pay me rent in return."
Very impressive benefits provided to workers
Sukumaran says he doesn't do anything great for workers, but his benefits policy is very attractive. They include free food and accommodation, one-month salary as yearly bonus, Rs. 2,000 annual clothes allowance, 2gm gold ring for those who work 300 days in a year, and five-star lunch on May Day. The burden of employee benefits doesn't impact the food prices, which are very affordable.
Sukumaran operates six tea shops in Chennai
Chicago workers are all praises for Sukumaran. John, a server, claimed: "I used to be an auto driver and even worked in other tea stalls. But nobody else has taken care of our needs this way." Salaries of the workers are Rs. 740/day for head cooks, Rs. 540/day for tea masters, Rs. 400/day for servers. Sukumaran makes Rs. 30,000-40,000 on weekdays.
Sukumaran knows how to keep customers happy as well
Chicago looks like any other tea stall, but the consistency in the food quality and Sukumaran's inspiring policies keep bringing loyal customers. It attracts people from all classes of the society. Manian, a regular customer for over 15 years, says he can afford more but keeps coming back here because he looks up to Sukumaran and all the good work he is doing.
