Mumbai: Flexi-timings to help combat monsoon traffic mayhem!

Enduring 4-5 hours of the rain-induced city traffic is not something employees of a Worli-based tyre company will have to face on their way back home anymore. CEAT Tyres Limited has introduced ‘flexi-timings' for its staff, allowing them to report to work by 7.30 am and leave by 4.30 pm in an effort to make their lives easier during Mumbai's unrelenting rains.

The CEAT office in Worli

This initiative was introduced a fortnight ago, when employees were taking 4-5 hours on an average to reach back home after work, owing to the heavy rainfall. They took their grievance to the Human Resources department, who immediately facilitated a plan to help them avoid situations where they would get stuck in traffic for a long time.

"Employees told us that they were taking an average of 4-5 hours to reach back home, especially those staying in far away areas," said Ranjan Sarkar (42), vice president, HR, CEAT. "That is when we implemented this 7.30 am - 4.30 pm slot, so that they can skip the heavy rush of traffic in the mornings and late afternoons."

Sarkar also pointed out that in this day and age, it is important for companies to move away from conventional HR practices, owing to the way lifestyle and demographics have changed the way people live their lives in cities.