Work From Home For IT Companies Till December 31: What Does This Mean?

Unlock 3: While the MHA had earlier issued SOP for the staggered re-opening of offices, ahead of Unlock 3.0, the focus for the rest of the year will be on work from home, wherever possible.

New Delhi: Ahead of Unlock 3, which is scheduled to start from August 1, the Centre has extended work from home facilities for IT and BPO companies. The department of telecommunications has extended the connectivity norms for work from home for IT and BPO companies till December 31.

The order issued just ahead of Unlock 3 carries a number of significances.

1. In March, the department facilitated work from home till April 30.
2. In April, it was extended till July 31.
3. This time, the department is not setting any short-term deadline.
4. This indicates that the guidelines of unlock 3 likely to be issued before August 1 may be the final guidelines to be applicable until the end of the year. Previously, the government issued SOP for the reopening of office premises in a staggered manner.
5. The emphasis for the rest of the year will be more on work from home, wherever and whenever possible.

Currently, around 85 per cent of the IT workforce is working from home and only those performing critical functions are going to offices.