As tensions between India and Pakistan escalate, major Indian IT and global consulting firms have issued advisories urging employees in sensitive regions to work from home (WFH) and avoid non-essential travel. According to a report by Moneycontrol, several companies including HCLTech, Deloitte, EY, Tech Mahindra, and KPMG have taken precautionary measures to safeguard employees amid heightened security alerts, particularly in Delhi-NCR and northern states.
The WFH advisory was issued primarily for employees based in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Chandigarh, and other high-alert areas. Deloitte India has reportedly asked employees to defer all non-essential domestic and international travel. A command centre hotline has also been established to assist staff, Moneycontrol quoted sources as saying.
“For professionals deployed in border states, the advisory is to return to their base location as soon as possible,” a source familiar with the matter told Moneycontrol. Employees were also urged to adhere strictly to government safety guidelines.
HCLTech, EY, Tech Mahindra Take Precautionary Steps
HCLTech, the third-largest IT services company in India, declared May 9 as a WFH day for all its offices in Chandigarh, Gurugram, and Noida, an employee informed Moneycontrol.
Tech Mahindra had already initiated a preparedness drive on May 7 with internal communications urging calm and caution. The company suspended non-essential travel and instructed employees to avoid discussing the ongoing situation on social media or during client interactions.
EY India issued a WFH advisory for staff in Delhi-NCR, Chandigarh, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad. In other locations, working from home was made optional for May 9, Moneycontrol reported.
KPMG Leaves It Flexible
KPMG in India gave employees in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, and Jaipur the flexibility to work from home, office, or client sites, depending on discussions with business managers. “Our offices will however remain open to support critical business needs,” a KPMG spokesperson told Moneycontrol.
In a related development, fresh explosions were reported in Jammu, prompting emergency sirens and a citywide blackout. Security agencies have ramped up surveillance as the situation remains tense following attempted drone and missile strikes by Pakistan on military targets in Jammu and Pathankot on Thursday night.
States including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Bihar have taken additional steps — including school closures, border district blackouts, and cancellation of leaves for police and administrative personnel — to bolster preparedness.
The unfolding situation continues to be monitored closely by both corporate India and security agencies.