Stuck at work on Diwali? Firms offer employees longer breaks, better gifts and more

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is often celebrated with enthusiasm, but for many employees stuck at work during this time, it can be a challenging experience. However, companies are stepping up to ensure their workforce doesn't miss out on the festive spirit. From longer weekends to work-from-home options, gifts of choice, and office celebrations, employers are adopting various strategies to make Diwali special for their employees.

For instance, quick-commerce firm Zepto advanced its holiday from Tuesday to Monday, granting its workforce an extra day off after Diwali. Sneha Arora, the chief HR officer at the Bengaluru-based firm, expressed their desire for employees to celebrate the festive season with their families. In a similar vein, Hitachi India allowed employees to choose their festive gifts from a list of options, with air fryers and Amazon gift vouchers being the most popular choices.

The company also hosted gatherings at hotels across the country, uniting its Indian and Japanese employees, including senior leadership.

For employees planning to travel during Diwali, flexibility in work arrangements has become a key perk. Hitachi India's hybrid work policy allows staff to work from home for two days a week, enabling them to manage festive travel and personal commitments. Aditya Mishra, CEO at staffing and recruitment services firm CIEL HR Services, noted that this trend of greater flexibility in celebrating Diwali has been noticeable this year.

However, not all employees have the luxury of taking a break. Those working in housekeeping, security, office support, electrical, and maintenance roles may still need to keep offices operational during the celebrations. Proptech firm NoBroker.com is addressing this by organizing special festivities for these teams and conducting a role-reversal exercise involving their HR department.

In this initiative, HR employees temporarily take on the responsibilities usually handled by support staff, allowing those in these roles to participate in the celebrations.

Lastly, for employees whose work requires them to be on the road, companies are offering additional financial incentives during Diwali. Trev Mobility, an electric vehicles-focused cab-hailing service, has introduced a special incentive program for its driver-partners working during the festival. Depending on the number of days they choose to work, drivers can earn extra payouts, with those completing all four designated days, including Diwali, eligible for double payment.