Gas Shortage Hits IT Offices; Companies Encourage Work From Home!

Due to a shortage of commercial gas, several IT companies in India are witnessing disruptions in their office canteen operations, prompting them to advise employees to bring food from home. Some companies have also started offering work-from-home options to reduce inconvenience for employees. At HCLTech, employees at the Chennai office were allowed to work from home on March 12 and 13 after multiple cafeteria vendors suspended services due to the gas shortage, according to senior company executives.

Meanwhile, Infosys issued an advisory to employees in Bengaluru and Chennai stating that canteens may serve limited food items due to the lack of commercial gas. The company has temporarily stopped live food counters and asked employees to bring meals from home. Responding to the situation, Wells Fargo Vice President Chandrasekhar Kattakam suggested that companies should responsibly encourage work from home wherever possible to conserve fuel. He noted that reducing daily commuting by thousands of employees could help redirect fuel resources toward essential sectors such as healthcare, logistics, and public transportation.