Delhi Mandates 50% Work-from-Home as Air Pollution Remains Hazardous

The Delhi government has directed organisations across the national capital to shift at least 50 per cent of their workforce to work-from-home arrangements as part of emergency measures to address persistently hazardous air quality levels. The order applies to both government offices and private-sector establishments, limiting on-site attendance to half of total staff strength.
The move is aimed at reducing daily commuting and vehicular congestion, which officials say is essential to preventing further deterioration in air quality. Authorities have warned that prolonged exposure to polluted air poses serious health risks, especially for children, senior citizens, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
The decision comes amid a sustained spell of poor-to-severe air quality that has triggered stricter measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Government officials said that curbing physical movement across the city is one of the most effective short-term interventions available while longer-term pollution control steps remain in force.
Essential services have been excluded from the directive. Healthcare, emergency services, law enforcement, and public utilities will continue to operate with full staffing due to the critical nature of their functions. However, authorities have cautioned that non-essential organisations failing to comply with the work-from-home order may face regulatory action.
The remote working mandate forms part of a broader set of emergency measures being rolled out across Delhi. These include restrictions on construction activities, stricter enforcement of vehicle emission norms, and targeted steps to reduce health risks for vulnerable populations.
Workplace and policy experts note that the directive underscores how environmental crises are increasingly shaping labour practices, pushing organisations to adopt flexible work models that balance operational continuity with employee health and safety.

The post Delhi Mandates 50% Work-from-Home as Air Pollution Remains Hazardous appeared first on HR Talk.
​