Indian SaaS giant Zoho has asked most of its employees to work remotely for two weeks starting March 16, according to an internal communication shared with staff. The move comes as companies across India respond to operational disruptions and rising concerns linked to the ongoing LPG supply shortage and related logistical challenges.
Temporary Remote Work Decision
Zoho informed employees that the two-week remote work period will begin on March 16, during which a majority of the workforce will operate from home. The decision is primarily aimed at minimising commuting and maintaining operational continuity during the current disruptions.
However, the policy will not apply to all roles. Employees working in critical infrastructure roles such as data centres, security, or essential facility operations may still need to work from office locations to ensure uninterrupted services.
Why Zoho Took This Step
The company’s decision comes amid a broader operational impact caused by LPG supply shortages in several Indian cities. The shortage has affected restaurants, corporate cafeterias, and large workplace campuses that rely heavily on commercial LPG cylinders for food preparation.
With many offices struggling to maintain cafeteria operations, companies are temporarily shifting to remote work arrangements to avoid inconvenience for employees and reduce pressure on office infrastructure.
IT Companies Adjust Workplace Policies
Zoho is not the only technology firm taking precautionary steps. Several other major companies have introduced temporary measures to deal with the situation.
For example:
- Some IT firms have asked employees to bring food from home due to cafeteria disruptions.
- Others have reduced cafeteria services because of limited cooking gas supply.
- A few organizations have allowed short-term work-from-home options to maintain smooth operations.
These measures show how a fuel supply issue can indirectly affect workplace logistics and employee experience in large corporate campuses.
Impact on the Tech Industry
The move highlights the growing flexibility of remote work policies in the tech sector. Since the pandemic, many technology companies have maintained hybrid or remote-ready work structures.
This flexibility allows companies like Zoho to quickly shift employees to remote work whenever operational disruptions arise—whether due to infrastructure challenges, transportation issues, or external supply constraints.
What Happens Next
Zoho’s remote work arrangement is expected to continue until the end of March, after which the company may review the situation and decide whether employees should return to offices or continue working remotely.
If the LPG supply situation stabilizes soon, companies are likely to resume normal office operations.
