TOP IT COMPANY 'FORCING' EMPLOYEES TO STAY AT GUEST HOUSE DURING LOCKDOWN? REPORT

Since a ten- day lockdown will begin from the midnight on Monday, 13th of July in Pune, leading IT firm Tech Mahindra has reportedly made arrangements for the employees to stay in the company’s guest house. 

According to Municipal Corporation's notifications, IT firms can operate with 15% of its staff during the Lockdown period. One of the spokespersons from the company told Economic Times that the company is currently operating with less than 1 % of staff as opposed to govt. Mandated 15% since few critical engagements cannot be moved to home. 

“However, given that some of our associates have to travel from or through containment zones, we have provided an option to stay at our guest house. Associates who are currently staying at our guest house have voluntarily opted to avoid daily risk of travel,” the spokesperson told ET. 

While the move is being seen as highly step, it is true that the lockdown has made it harder for employees to travel to work even if the movement of people is not restricted in that particular area by the local administration, 

However, the National Information Technologies Employees Senate (NITES) have reportedly said that Tech Mahindra employees were not happy with the step but have rather been forced to comply. “Employees of Tech Mahindra are being forced to stay in the Guest House, against their will under the lockdown period starting 14th July 2020.  The employees were suddenly informed to pack their bags as until lockdown they will be staying at guesthouse,” a NITES spokesperson told the media. 

He also added that they have written a letter to the Chief Minister and the District Collector requesting them to order 100% mandatory work from home for all IT, ITeS, BPO and KPO employees.