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Ready to reduce non-essential travel: Companies open to making WFH work, again
ET Bureau | May 12, 2026 3:57 AM CST

Synopsis

Indian companies are responding to the Prime Minister's call for work from home and reduced travel. Many firms are already offering hybrid work models and are considering expanding remote options. Businesses are also cutting down on non-essential domestic and international trips. This proactive approach aims to conserve resources and support national efforts.

New Delhi | Bengaluru: Taking note of the Prime Minister's appeal to effect work from home (WFH) and reduce non-essential travel, companies are taking stock of existing work options.

Executives at over a dozen firms, including conglomerates, consulting firms and financial services firms, told ET that they are monitoring the situation closely and may bring in more remote working options for employees in coming days and reduce domestic and international travel where possible.

"The announcement is being evaluated, and will be addressed suitably-keeping people, business and client commitments in mind," said a spokesperson for KPMG in India. The firm is already following a hybrid work policy.


Other firms like Deloitte, EY, RPG, Tata Motors, Mercedes-Benz India that also have hybrid working models in place, will continue to follow the same, their spokespersons said.

As part of the flexible working model, Mercedes-Benz India employees currently work from home. "We also proactively optimise business travel to ensure only business critical travel is undertaken," said its CEO, Santosh Iyer.

"We are fully aligned with the Prime Minister's guidance. At Diageo India (USL), we will continue to prioritise hybrid working, virtual meetings over in-person engagements at this time, with business travel restricted to essential purposes only," said Chinmay Sharma, chief HR officer, Diageo India (USL).

"We continue to follow a hybrid working model," said a Coca-Cola India spokesperson. Most companies are closely monitoring the situation and may change as and when necessary.

RPG Group already has a 50% WFH policy and a hybrid model. Meanwhile its chairman, Harsh Goenka posted on X said, "PM Modi has urged citizens to help the nation by reducing avoidable imports; conserving fuel and energy; supporting work-from-home where possible......As responsible citizens we should try our best to contribute in whatever way we can."



A Mumbai-based conglomerate, with interests in West Asia, has already implemented restrictions on non-critical travel both within the country and abroad. However, it has no plans to start WFH given the nature of its industry.

Axis Bank has had people in non-customer-facing roles working in hybrid mode since FY21, with only two days a week required in the office. "We will monitor this more closely," said its HR head Rajkamal Vempati.es.

Ed-tech firm Eruditus has teams based in over 63 cities across India alone, with half of the workforce being women, as it follows a virtual working model. "Our team leaders in India, and globally, have already been responding (to W Asia crisis) with purpose-from reducing non-essential travel to replacing face-to-face meetings unless critical," said its CHRO Ganesh S.


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