Government's action applauded by triumphant timing leader

Government's action applauded by triumphant timing leader

## Staggered Office Timings in Mumbai: Progress and Support

In a bid to address the persistent issue of overcrowding and safety concerns on Mumbai's suburban rail network, the Maharashtra government has established a task force to explore the feasibility of staggered office timings for private companies in the city and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

The initiative, which is in the early, consultative stages, aims to reduce peak-hour congestion and potentially save lives by dispersing commuter loads more evenly throughout the day. Nandini Dias, a prominent advocate for flexible work hours and the brainchild behind the WorkToLiveToWork campaign, has endorsed this government initiative, describing it as "a step in the right direction."

Last year, Central Railway approached 800 companies to stagger official timings, but only 46 companies with less than 25 employees responded positively. However, the formation of a task force indicates that the government is seeking input from the private sector before any mandates or recommendations are issued.

Nandini Dias, who is also a member of the executive board of Mumbai First and the honorary secretary of the India chapter of the International Advertising Association, has expressed a willingness to provide inputs and collaborate with the task force. She has emphasized that the threat of salary cuts for arriving late to work forces thousands of workers to board dangerously overcrowded trains, and her campaign advocates for flexible work hours between 8 am and 11 am to alleviate train overcrowding, particularly during the 8.45 am to 9.45 am peak hours.

The campaign has highlighted the wide-ranging benefits of decongestion, its impact on productivity, and the cultural shifts and discipline required. It has collaborated with large corporations like Tata, Mahindra, Birla, Piramal, Marico, and L&T, as well as major industry associations like NHRDN and Rotary Club. The campaign aims to save lives, boost morale, and improve work-life balance by reducing commuter pressure by 25% to 30%.

Nandini Dias' advocacy is personal, as she lost her older brother in an accident on the suburban rail network in 2016. She believes that flexible work arrangements and remote working do not impact productivity, and she supports the task force for staggered office timings to ease Mumbai's peak-hour congestion.

Annual fatalities on Mumbai's suburban rail network have reduced to around 2,600 due to the campaign, but nine or ten people still die every day while commuting to work on the city's suburban rail network. The success of this initiative will depend on government-industry collaboration and the willingness of companies to adapt their work schedules. If implemented effectively, staggered office timings could significantly ease peak-hour congestion, enhance commuter safety, and improve quality of life for Mumbai’s workforce.

1. The Maharashtra government, in an attempt to tackle overcrowding and safety concerns on Mumbai's public transit, has formed a task force to examine the possibility of implementing staggered office timings in private companies.
2. International advocate Nandini Dias, known for her flexible work hours campaign WorkToLiveToWork, has endorsed this government initiative, calling it a positive step towards addressing peak-hour congestion.
3. Last year, Central Railway approached 800 companies to implement staggered office hours, but only 46 small businesses agreed. The creation of a task force suggests that the government is seeking input from the private sector prior to any mandates or recommendations.
4. Nandini Dias, a member of Mumbai First's executive board and the India chapter of the International Advertising Association's honorary secretary, has offered to collaborate with the task force, emphasizing the potentially life-saving benefits of dispersing commuter loads throughout the day.
5. The WorkToLiveToWork campaign has teamed up with large industries like Tata, Mahindra, Birla, Piramal, Marico, L&T, and major industry associations like NHRDN and Rotary Club. The campaign aims to reduce commuter pressure and boost productivity by 25% to 30% through staggered office timings.
6. Nandini Dias' campaign is personally motivated, as she lost her older brother in an accident on Mumbai's suburban rail network in 2016. She advocates for flexible work arrangements and remote working, and supports the task force for staggered office timings to alleviate Mumbai's peak-hour congestion, improve commuter safety, and enhance the quality of life for the city's workforce.

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