Companies are proactively pushing flexible work options for employees, especially during the monsoons, shielding them from commuting woes though the jury is still out on the work from home (WFH) vs work from office (WFO) debate.
Due to traffic snarls, most commuters are spending more time on the roads than in previous years. For instance, a professional service executive in Delhi told ET that her commute time from Gurugram in the rains has doubled in the last year. “This is mainly due to poor traffic planning and road quality, especially in the rains,” she said.
Other experts concur with her. New vehicles are getting added, and with rapid construction activities (which are mostly ill-planned) rising sharply in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, the roads are getting more chaotic in the rains.
Some companies like RPG, Marico, Grant Thornton, Deloitte, Hyundai Motor India, DHL Express are taking steps to safeguard their employees not only from the rains but also from long commute time in the rains by allowing employees to make use of flexible working policy.
RPG Group has a hybrid working model that allows its employees the flexibility to work from home or any location of their choice. “We also offer flexible working hours, which are coordinated and approved with their respective managers,” said RPG Group spokesperson.
RPG does not track daily work hours of its employees. “Whenever there are any external exigencies like heavy rainfall, we refer to the advisories issued by the relevant authorities to take necessary action,” says RPG Group spokesperson.
DHL Express India has adopted a hybrid work model that allows employees, based on the nature of their roles, to work from home 1–2 days a week. “This flexibility becomes particularly valuable during heavy rains, helping our teams avoid long traffic jams and waterlogged commutes. We also recognise the need for further flexibility to extend such arrangements if the situation becomes severe,” said Sunjoy Dhaawan, VP-Human Resources, DHL Express India.
At the auto company Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), employees can choose from three shifts based on their needs and preference. “A daily grace period helps absorb any delays caused, not only due to weather conditions but any unforeseeable circumstances as well,” said Natwar Kadel, Vertical Head - Human Resources, Hyundai Motor India Limited.
Hyundai also provides company transport from various pickup points. “Many employees rely on this for a smoother commute,” said Kadel. “Monsoon and inclement weather-based challenges are inevitable, and when things go beyond control, our managers step in with practical and real-time support,” he added.
Like RPG, Marico too does not track work hours of its workforce, which offers employees the flexibility to work from anywhere, including in case of extreme weather events. “At Marico, we operate with a fundamental belief in trusting our members, giving them flexibility to own their work and deliver outcomes, rather than measuring hours or rigid schedules,” said its CHRO, Amit Prakash. “Our performance-focused work culture allows individuals to choose how, when, and where they work, enabling them to perform at their best while managing real-life circumstances.”
Grant Thornton has put in place the UltraFlex policy which ensures flexibility to employees. “UltraFlex helps to ensure that our policies—be it work modes, dress codes, or benefit packages—are flexible and inclusive, adapting to the individual needs of our people,” said Prashant Mehra – Partner & Chief People Care Officer, Grant Thornton Bharat.
“The well-being of our people remains a priority—regardless of weather conditions,” Mehra said. Grant Thornton employees can choose their mode of working from either working from home, client office or from any of four offices in Delhi-NCR.
Due to traffic snarls, most commuters are spending more time on the roads than in previous years. For instance, a professional service executive in Delhi told ET that her commute time from Gurugram in the rains has doubled in the last year. “This is mainly due to poor traffic planning and road quality, especially in the rains,” she said.
Other experts concur with her. New vehicles are getting added, and with rapid construction activities (which are mostly ill-planned) rising sharply in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, the roads are getting more chaotic in the rains.
Some companies like RPG, Marico, Grant Thornton, Deloitte, Hyundai Motor India, DHL Express are taking steps to safeguard their employees not only from the rains but also from long commute time in the rains by allowing employees to make use of flexible working policy.
RPG Group has a hybrid working model that allows its employees the flexibility to work from home or any location of their choice. “We also offer flexible working hours, which are coordinated and approved with their respective managers,” said RPG Group spokesperson.
RPG does not track daily work hours of its employees. “Whenever there are any external exigencies like heavy rainfall, we refer to the advisories issued by the relevant authorities to take necessary action,” says RPG Group spokesperson.
DHL Express India has adopted a hybrid work model that allows employees, based on the nature of their roles, to work from home 1–2 days a week. “This flexibility becomes particularly valuable during heavy rains, helping our teams avoid long traffic jams and waterlogged commutes. We also recognise the need for further flexibility to extend such arrangements if the situation becomes severe,” said Sunjoy Dhaawan, VP-Human Resources, DHL Express India.
At the auto company Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), employees can choose from three shifts based on their needs and preference. “A daily grace period helps absorb any delays caused, not only due to weather conditions but any unforeseeable circumstances as well,” said Natwar Kadel, Vertical Head - Human Resources, Hyundai Motor India Limited.
Hyundai also provides company transport from various pickup points. “Many employees rely on this for a smoother commute,” said Kadel. “Monsoon and inclement weather-based challenges are inevitable, and when things go beyond control, our managers step in with practical and real-time support,” he added.
Like RPG, Marico too does not track work hours of its workforce, which offers employees the flexibility to work from anywhere, including in case of extreme weather events. “At Marico, we operate with a fundamental belief in trusting our members, giving them flexibility to own their work and deliver outcomes, rather than measuring hours or rigid schedules,” said its CHRO, Amit Prakash. “Our performance-focused work culture allows individuals to choose how, when, and where they work, enabling them to perform at their best while managing real-life circumstances.”
Grant Thornton has put in place the UltraFlex policy which ensures flexibility to employees. “UltraFlex helps to ensure that our policies—be it work modes, dress codes, or benefit packages—are flexible and inclusive, adapting to the individual needs of our people,” said Prashant Mehra – Partner & Chief People Care Officer, Grant Thornton Bharat.
“The well-being of our people remains a priority—regardless of weather conditions,” Mehra said. Grant Thornton employees can choose their mode of working from either working from home, client office or from any of four offices in Delhi-NCR.
You may also like
New warning for green card holders in US: Always carry THIS at all times with you, CBP reminds
PM Modi arrives in London, begins 2-day UK visit
Kenneth Washington dead: Star Trek actor dies as tributes paid
Ben Needham's mum Kerry in 'blind panic' after tip-off about missing toddler sighting
FPJ 97th Anniversary: Building Smarter With Tech
