2 private offices in Gurugram served notices for violating 50% work-from-home rule

Surprise inspections found 87 of 117 employees at one Gurugram office and 160 of 262 at another, exceeding the 50% work-from-home limit.

The district administration has issued show-cause notices to two corporate offices in Sector 42 for allegedly violating the mandatory 50% work-from-home directive, after surprise inspections found that both establishments had more than half their employees working from office.

Gurugram’s Badshahpur SDM issued notices to two Sector 42 corporate offices after inspections found 74% and 61% of their staff working from office. (Representative photo) (HT PHOTO.)

The notices were issued on Thursday by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Badshahpur, after surprise inspections found that both establishments had exceeded the prescribed limit on physical attendance. This is among the first instances of the administration initiating action against private corporate offices for violating the anti-pollution directions.

According to the notices, around 87 employees were found present at one establishment, which had a declared workforce of 117, while approximately 160 employees were found at the second, which had a total staff strength of 262. This meant that nearly 74% and 61% of their respective workforces were present in the office, exceeding the permissible 50% limit.

The managements have been directed to submit written explanations within 24 hours, along with supporting documents, including their total employee strength, biometric and attendance records for the day of inspection, duty rosters and details of employees allowed to work remotely.

The notices also warn that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation could invite proceedings under Section 14 of the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.

Officials said the administration was monitoring compliance across the district and that inspections were being conducted in all subdivisions. They added that inspections were being conducted following complaints from employees and residents on social media, with several people flagging workplaces allegedly continuing to operate with more than half their staff physically present despite the restrictions.

The deputy commissioner issued the 50% attendance directive on November 3, following directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). It requires government and private offices in Gurugram to ensure that no more than half their workforce attends the office physically at a time, while the remaining employees work from home. The restrictions are in force from November 5 to November 20.

The measure is part of a wider set of emergency pollution-control measures introduced across Delhi-NCR as air quality deteriorates ahead of the peak winter pollution period.