Big companies in India continue hybrid work policies

The spike in cases, especially in northern India, came after schools re-opened, pandemic restrictions were eased and most companies were starting to adopt a mix of hybrid to 100% back-to-office policy.

Work-from-home policies were hastily put in place at the outbreak of the pandemic, and several companies across sectors transitioned into this mode. Over the last two years, companies have intermittently asked employees to head back to offices.

Now, many companies will have to return to the drawing board to prevent their workforce from getting infected.

Vedanta Group, Panasonic, Bharti Airtel, RPG Group and Piramal Group have said they are monitoring the rise in cases and have asked employees to remain cautious.

Vedanta Group has started a roster system where each employee has to come to the office two days a week, and has no plan to return to 100% back to work, said deputy CHRO Praveen Purohit.

Similarly, Panasonic India is monitoring the current situation and will make a call on its policies based on risk analysis and in line with government regulations, said CHRO Adarsh Mishra.

READ: Indian startups embrace “work from anywhere” arrangement

Likewise, the Piramal Group will continue its booster vaccination campaigns for employees and families, safety, and health advisories, providing flexibility and enabling work from home if the cases continue to rise, said president and CHRO Vikram Bector, according to Mint.