From November 5 to 20, Delhi–NCR offices face a 50% work‑from‑home cap. Gurugram and Noida employers must quickly align rosters, payroll, and compliance. Students and early‑career professionals should know how attendance, reimbursements, and exceptions will work. This checklist prioritises lawful operations while protecting productivity and employee wellbeing.
The Commission for Air Quality Management ordered offices to halve physical presence till November 20. “State Government and private offices to operate with upto 50% of the staff strength attending physically.” The remaining staff will work from home across Delhi and select NCR districts. Industrial units and essential services are exempt where work‑from‑home is infeasible.
Who must follow the 50% WFH order and where it applies
Coverage includes Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Gurugram has begun inspections and issued notices to violators. Noida authorities echoed the cap through local orders. The window is November 5 to 20, 2026. HR teams should document compliance daily for surprise checks.
Roster templates and attendance proof for Gurugram–Noida offices
Use a two‑team roster to cap on‑site headcount. Example: Team A on Mon‑Wed, Team B on Thu‑Sat; swap next week. Share final rosters by 6 pm daily. Maintain a signed on‑site muster with IDs and timings. Store WFH timesheets in HR systems for inspection readiness.
On‑site exception letters and biometric alternatives
Issue an on‑site exception letter on letterhead with name, ID, role, site address, and validity dates. Add manager contact and reason, such as essential support or safety. Replace touch biometrics with QR kiosks or geofenced app check‑ins. Supervisor attestations are acceptable where technology is unavailable. Retain verification logs for ninety days.
Reimbursements, VPN load, and asset pickup during 50% WFH
Announce broadband and electricity reimbursements with monthly caps, eligible roles, and proof required. Offer a fixed stipend for interns and trainees. Stress‑test VPN capacity, enable split‑tunnelling for collaboration tools, and publish outage response times. For equipment pickup, assign slots, issue gate passes, record serial numbers, and capture handover photos.
Treat vendors and contract staff under the 50% cap unless they support essential services. Cut commutes with staggered shifts and pooled transport. Publish a simple grievance ladder and district helplines on all channels. With measures active till November 20, clarify roles today to avoid penalties and payroll disputes.
