Will work-from-home make a comeback or will companies continue to function in hybrid or total return-to-office modes? These are the questions on the mind of employees who readjust to evolving realities of the corporate culture vis-a-vis the pandemic.
Now that Covid concerns are firmly back on the radar, how is corporate India preparing? India Inc is making plans to stay one step ahead of any potential surge in Covid cases.
Companies are issuing advisories and adopting Covid protocols, encouraging employees to get booster doses, conducting temperature checks and getting ready for the continuation of contactless services.
In 2023, most companies will be ready to face any situation, having already tried and tested plans like work-from-home and other Covid specific protocols.
Companies, especially those in information, communication, technology and electronics (ICTE), that import from China are already making plans for any potential setbacks to the supply chain.
Sangeeta Gupta, senior vice-president, Nasscom told Economic Times that most Indian techies working in China have returned following a surge in Covid cases there.
Indian tech companies operating in China majorly hire local Chinese workers and the percentage of Indian workers is quite low, Gupta told ET.
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Most companies are in a wait-and-watch mode, waiting for the holiday season to conclude.
Aditya Mishra, chief executive of CIEL HR Services, a staffing and recruitment added that most companies are likely to review the situation next month after the New Year break.
B Sumant, executive director at ITC, the hotels-to-FMCG conglomerate, told ET that his company is fully prepared to deal with any situation and to address emerging demands and ensure that its FMCG products are delivered to consumers through a robust distribution network across the country. He added that ITC offices and factories have well established Covid safety measures and protocols in place.
Car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki has established standard operating procedures for retail showrooms, vendors, production and employees.
