Stepping up to beat the heat: India Inc lines up cool work plans for staff this summer

Several companies in India have introduced flexible work practices for white-collar workers, especially those in sales and field-related work, as rising summer heat poses health risks and threatens to sap efficiency.

India is notorious for its scorching summers. Its weather office has warned that 2024 could be the country's hottest year on record.

To shield employees from searing temperatures, several companies, including Panasonic, MG Motors and KPMG, have relaxed norms around work hours, meetings and dress code.


Some are encouraging online meetings and ensuring that offices have hydration stations and light nutritious food in cafeterias. Deloitte, Mudrex and PeepalCo are the other companies that are focusing on employee health and safety. Mandatory breaks during work hours and awareness campaigns on hydration and how to recognise signs of heat exhaustion are some of the other measures being implemented, as temperatures in some parts of the country soar past 45 degrees Celsius.

For companies like Panasonic Life Solutions India, summer brings in a burst of activity around sales of cooling devices for homes and offices. The company has asked its branch and on field sales professionals to keep their meetings for early mornings or the evenings to be able to avoid the heat. Employees are also encouraged to utilise digital platforms such as Teams and Zoom for communication.

“Panasonic’s HR business ambassadors stay in touch with employees on-field and at corporate offices to check on their well-being,” said Adarsh Mishra, CHRO, Panasonic Life Solutions India. “Regular nutrition based training is conducted to ensure the overall health of employees.”

Yeshwinder Patial, senior director- HR, MG Motor India, told ET that the company allows employees to adjust their work schedules. “During extreme weather conditions, pollution, we strictly follow work-from-home to ensure the well-being of all our colleagues,” Patial said.

KPMG is offering wellness tips and nutritional food options in its cafeterias, while its power dressing policy provides the flexibility to wear breathable summer clothes. At competitor Deloitte, professionals can book office sponsored vehicles or rides from recognised aggregators against a reimbursement.

“As we continue to follow hybrid as a way of working, professionals can flex the days they travel to offices,” said Deepti Sagar, chief people and experience officer, Deloitte India.

“Accordingly, we urge them to exercise discretion with non-critical travel whenever there is a public advisory about adverse weather.” Compounding the problem of summer heat is water shortage. At crypto investment platform Mudrex, many employees who stay in paying guest accommodations and serviced apartments have been facing severe water scarcity, which affects attendance.

“Our work-from-office guideline is flexible enough to accommodate coming in to work later in the day, missing a day or more due to such issues, and managing the ongoing heat wave,” said Nivedita Kannan, head, people function, Mudrex.

PeepalCo, the umbrella brand housing CoinSwitch and CoinSwitch PRO, is stocking up on refreshing drinks, while consulting firm Pierag Consulting is encouraging flexible working hours, and even work from home, if required.