India's largest firm Reliance Industries has initiated work-from-home for its staff while keeping open consumer-facing businesses of hospital, retail stores and telecom with a minimum workforce amid increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the country.
Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani will hold a meeting almost every third day to take stock of the impact of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak on his employees and business, officials said.
Precautions have been taken at Reliance Corporate Park in Navi Mumbai and its refining and petchem complex in Jamnagar, they said adding that the production unit in Patalganga and the retail outlets are also following standard sanitation and hygiene processes.
The oil-to-telecom conglomerate initiated a work from home protocol for its employees across the country and overseas in response to the evolving Covid-19 situation. This protocol will be effective until March 31.
It, however, will maintain minimum strength at the workplace to ensure business continuity.
Reliance Industries (RIL) joins a host of Indian companies that have ordered work-from-home to prevent their employees from being infected by the virus.
Reached for comments, RIL spokesperson said: "the company has migrated to an 'Agile Work From Home' protocol that encourages all employees to work from home and to utilise all productivity and digital tools at their disposal to maximise productivity."
"We encourage everyone to work from home. In case the nature of your work is such that it cannot be performed from home then you may be required to come to the office," he wrote. "In addition, we will maintain minimum strength at the workplace to ensure business continuity."
"Let us support each other, stay calm, and tide over this challenge together."