Food delivery platform Swiggy has implemented a four-day work week during May, the company’s head of human resources wrote in an email to employees on Saturday.
The move is aimed at supporting the physical and mental well-being of employees who may be dealing with sick relatives or friends, and employees will have the flexibility to choose which four days they'd like to work.
“As a mark of respect for the efforts and the month that May can be with Covid cases escalating, we want to offer a four-day work week to all of you," wrote Girish Menon, head of HR at Swiggy.
"Please decide the four days that each of you would work and utilise the extra day to take rest, take care of yourself, take care of your family and friends. As many of you are aware, we have put together a Covid task force and we can definitely do more with more hands on deck. Hence, if any of you would like to volunteer and actively help on the break day, you’re welcome,” Menon said. Swiggy said it would also release the May salaries of Grade 1 to 6 employees early and employees in this category will receive a nutrition support payment if they or their family members test positive.
To deal with possible Covid-related emergencies, the company has set up an emergency support team to help employees access ICUs and oxygen cylinders.
It is also offering a slew of other benefits to its employees, including salary advances, leave encashments, and access to loans. Employees whose family members test positive have access to self-quarantine facilities.
In the past few weeks, India’s top technology startups have rolled out a number of initiatives to help employees and their families cope with medical emergencies and financial upheaval. These include setting up Covid-19 emergency and insurance helpdesks, providing medical supplies, and reducing the intensity of work to prevent burnout. Many companies have also announced vaccination drives for employees and their dependents.
The move is aimed at supporting the physical and mental well-being of employees who may be dealing with sick relatives or friends, and employees will have the flexibility to choose which four days they'd like to work.
The company announced this policy at a time when medical experts expect Covid cases to surge further in May. India recorded more than 26 lakh new cases and nearly 23,800 deaths in the past seven days, the highest ever reported in a week.
“As a mark of respect for the efforts and the month that May can be with Covid cases escalating, we want to offer a four-day work week to all of you," wrote Girish Menon, head of HR at Swiggy.
"Please decide the four days that each of you would work and utilise the extra day to take rest, take care of yourself, take care of your family and friends. As many of you are aware, we have put together a Covid task force and we can definitely do more with more hands on deck. Hence, if any of you would like to volunteer and actively help on the break day, you’re welcome,” Menon said. Swiggy said it would also release the May salaries of Grade 1 to 6 employees early and employees in this category will receive a nutrition support payment if they or their family members test positive.
To deal with possible Covid-related emergencies, the company has set up an emergency support team to help employees access ICUs and oxygen cylinders.
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It is also offering a slew of other benefits to its employees, including salary advances, leave encashments, and access to loans. Employees whose family members test positive have access to self-quarantine facilities.
In the past few weeks, India’s top technology startups have rolled out a number of initiatives to help employees and their families cope with medical emergencies and financial upheaval. These include setting up Covid-19 emergency and insurance helpdesks, providing medical supplies, and reducing the intensity of work to prevent burnout. Many companies have also announced vaccination drives for employees and their dependents.
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