Hyderabad: Mixed reactions as IT offices re-open

Hyderabad: With the government easing lockdown restrictions imposed on offices, factories and retail shops, they are reopening after a gap of 50 days. Employees expressed happiness while some were skeptical over the decision, fearing increase in the Covid-19 cases in city and across the Telangana State.

"As the government announced relaxation, the software companies have asked core employees to come to the office. These companies must follow safety measures to protect their employees from getting infected from deadly virus like thoroughly sanitising office premises and workstations. Should install hands free sensor-based equipment for dispensing sanitisers, switches of elevators and electricals, biometrics and all door handles.

The companies should provide transportation with seating arrangements maintaining social distancing. Companies that are continuing with work from home for employees should provide high speed internet connections and other infra support. The government should fix stipulated hours for those working from home," said Manoj Kumar Chittimalla, DevOps Engineer, Genesys Telecom Labs India Private Limited.

"According to me all the IT firms and MNCs should allow their employees to work from home till the curve is flattened in State and city. Unless there is no option than to come to office, the staff should be permitted to work from home by strictly adhering to fixed hours," said Sateesh Kolusu, a senior software engineer at an MNC. Abhinabh, a web analyst at an IT firm, felt that working from home was not conducive and impacted the productivity. He said, "Though the company did not intimate to come to office, but I have been waiting for the day when the government would allow the offices to reopen. The organisations should facilitate transportation so that social distancing norm could be maintained."

Echoing the same views, Pranay Upadhyay, a senior executive at Kore.ai Software India Private Limited, said, "Lockdown has been relaxed by the government but the threat of Covid is still prevailing. It would be better if the companies permit their employees to work from home." "Companies should not rush to ask the entire staff to resume working from office. The employees' safety and concerns should be the utmost priority while addressing business needs. The organisations should call back employees on a staggered manner," said Abhijeet Sinha, senior staff manager, Qualcomm India.