Corporates across industries reinforced work-from-home policies in the National Capital Region and urged sales teams to limit market visits and intra-city travel as New Delhi enforced GRAP-3 from Tuesday with average air quality index (AQI) breaching 400 — the season’s worst so far. Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) recommends work from home (WFH), and bans construction and polluting vehicles.
Nestle India has sent a communication to all employees in this connection, a company spokesperson said, adding that “the working from home option is always available to all colleagues.”
The India unit of the Swiss packaged foods maker is headquartered in Gurgaon. Corporates have also deferred multiple large events even as the capital’s deteriorating air quality has gone viral on social platforms.
Companies such as Mondelez, Diageo, Deloitte, ITC, AB InBev and RPG noted their hybrid work models allow employees to opt for WFH when required. “Our existing hybrid work model gives employees the flexibility to make choices that work best for them,” said Nagina Singh, senior director, people lead, at chocolate maker Mondelez India. “This approach is consistent across all our locations in India, including Delhi and NCR.” On Tuesday, the average AQI in Delhi shot up to 425 — in ‘severe’ category — for the first time this season.
Footfalls in Restaurants, Malls Hit
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) enforced the GRAP-3 curbs, where “private companies are requested to implement work-fromhome or hybrid modes.”
The developments may hit footfalls in restaurants and malls. “Various large outdoor events have been deferred, which is unfortunate because this is the time the weather in Delhi-NCR is otherwise very pleasant,” said Anjan Chatterjee, chairman of Speciality Restaurants, which operates Mainland China and Oh Calcutta restaurant chains.
Footfalls in dine-ins have been hit over the past week as people stayed indoors amid worsening air quality, he added. Besides Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad are also impacted. The region houses thousands of corporate houses. “We’ve advised our sales teams across Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad to go slow on market visits,” said an executive at a consumer durables firm. He requested not to be identified, since he is not an authorised spokesperson. Spirits company Diageo India’s CHRO Shilpa Vaid said its hybrid model “allows teams to balance business priorities with personal safety and wellbeing.”
Restrictions in Place
GRAP-3 restrictions include curbs on inter-state diesel buses entering or operating in Delhi, and closure of schools up to Class 5, with classes switching to online mode. Essential services such as railways, metro construction, airports, defence, sanitation, and healthcare facilities are exempted from the restrictions under defined “dust and waste management norms.”
Nestle India has sent a communication to all employees in this connection, a company spokesperson said, adding that “the working from home option is always available to all colleagues.”
The India unit of the Swiss packaged foods maker is headquartered in Gurgaon. Corporates have also deferred multiple large events even as the capital’s deteriorating air quality has gone viral on social platforms.
Companies such as Mondelez, Diageo, Deloitte, ITC, AB InBev and RPG noted their hybrid work models allow employees to opt for WFH when required. “Our existing hybrid work model gives employees the flexibility to make choices that work best for them,” said Nagina Singh, senior director, people lead, at chocolate maker Mondelez India. “This approach is consistent across all our locations in India, including Delhi and NCR.” On Tuesday, the average AQI in Delhi shot up to 425 — in ‘severe’ category — for the first time this season.
Footfalls in Restaurants, Malls Hit
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) enforced the GRAP-3 curbs, where “private companies are requested to implement work-fromhome or hybrid modes.”
The developments may hit footfalls in restaurants and malls. “Various large outdoor events have been deferred, which is unfortunate because this is the time the weather in Delhi-NCR is otherwise very pleasant,” said Anjan Chatterjee, chairman of Speciality Restaurants, which operates Mainland China and Oh Calcutta restaurant chains.
Footfalls in dine-ins have been hit over the past week as people stayed indoors amid worsening air quality, he added. Besides Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad are also impacted. The region houses thousands of corporate houses. “We’ve advised our sales teams across Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad to go slow on market visits,” said an executive at a consumer durables firm. He requested not to be identified, since he is not an authorised spokesperson. Spirits company Diageo India’s CHRO Shilpa Vaid said its hybrid model “allows teams to balance business priorities with personal safety and wellbeing.”
Restrictions in Place
GRAP-3 restrictions include curbs on inter-state diesel buses entering or operating in Delhi, and closure of schools up to Class 5, with classes switching to online mode. Essential services such as railways, metro construction, airports, defence, sanitation, and healthcare facilities are exempted from the restrictions under defined “dust and waste management norms.”
