Opinion | Fear of freedom

In the private sector, a work-from-home culture is fast gaining popularity because of torturous daily commutes it saves employees and the productivity gains it offers employers. But the public sector still has a lot of catching up to do. In state-run power producer NTPC Ltd., 18 senior level employees have been asked to work from home, ostensibly to “optimize manpower”, according to a report in the Hindu BusinessLine. But the employees are feeling uneasy. Their fear: this could distance them from the main work environment—a possible lead-up to their redundancy.

The resistance of NTPC’s employees revives a debate over whether a work-from-home culture should be promoted. It has undeniable advantages. In cities such as Mumbai and Bangalore, where transport infrastructure is crumbling under the weight of a traffic overload, people often spend hours together trying to reach their workplace.