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Business Economy India News

WFH: Boom or Bust for India? 

The study also found that working from home has led to less effective communication and that remote working is detrimental to teamwork…reports Asian Lite News 

The ability to hire employees from spatially-dispersed locations may help to promote more balanced geographical development, in addition to alleviating pressures of various kinds on major metropolitan areas in India, according to a study by apex business chamber CII and the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi, on Monday.  

The study, titled ‘Work-from-Home: Benefits and Costs: an Exploratory Study in the Indian Context’, stated that Covid has given rise to many alternative systems, and work from home is a prominent outcome altering the employment ecosystem. 

Since then, many organisations have adopted remote and hybrid work practices. 

The study found that the new model has led to moderate savings in office rental costs and enabled a moderate reduction in costs involved in meeting and working with clients. 

“The savings in employee commuting and accommodation costs have allowed for adjustments in employee compensation structures to a limited extent,” the findings showed. 

There is significant reduction in commuting stress for employees leading to greater energy levels. 

However, the study also found that working from home has led to less effective communication and that remote working is detrimental to teamwork. 

It suggests that remote working could hinder the development and sustenance of organisational culture. As far as the costs and benefits for employees are concerned, respondents were of the view that remote working is particularly beneficial for parents with young children and for caregivers. 

A moderate increase in employee productivity has also been observed. However, some respondents have reported difficulty in separating work and personal life, leading to increased stress, the study pointed out. 

Many employees also lack dedicated, undisturbed workspaces at home. Besides, flexibility in scheduling can be considerably problematic for those unable to maintain self-discipline. 

The study further observed that traditional supervision methods such as attendance monitoring have become less effective. Remote working has led to a shift towards performance-based monitoring in a major way. Furthermore, with remote working, increased reliance on trust has become necessary to ensure employee performance. 

On the macro environment front, the study suggested that remote working has led to significant reduction in the company’s carbon footprint and could held organizations meet ESG (environment, social and governance) goals. 

“While work-from-home confers tangible benefits for both employers and employees in the short term, it may, however, lead to some losses in the long run. These losses may be intangible in nature, relating to the formation and sustenance of social, emotional, and human capital,” the study noted. 

ALSO READ: India Can’t Be Ignored 

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India News

India chalks out fresh WFH rules

Work From Home is now allowed for a maximum period of one year….reports Asian Lite News

As per the Commerce Ministry, Work from home (WFH) is allowed for a maximum period of one year in a special economic zone unit and can be extended to 50 per cent of total employees.

The Department of Commerce has notified a new rule 43A for WFH in Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006.

Keeping in view the demand from the industry, the notification by the ministry was issued to make a provision for a countrywide uniform WFH policy across all Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The new rule provides work from home for a certain category of employees of a unit in SEZ.

These include employees of IT/ITeS SEZ units; employees who are temporarily incapacitated; employees who are travelling and who are working offsite, said the ministry. WFH may be extended to a maximum of 50 per cent of total employees, including contractual employees of the unit, it added.

Work From Home is now allowed for a maximum period of one year. However, the same may further be extended for one year at a time by the DC on the request of units,” the ministry said.

In respect of SEZ units whose employees are already working from home, the notification has provided a transition period of 90 days to seek approval.

ALSO READ: Sitharaman clears air on new GST rates

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Health Lite Blogs

Simple and efficient yogic techniques for workaholics

The Sanskrit words Pawan means air, Mukta means free, and asana means posture, therefore Chair Pawanmuktasana (Gas Releasing Pose) is derived from them. This position is beneficial to your digestive system; thus, it relieves the discomfort that we typically have after our lunch break, which disrupts our work…writes Shraddha Iyer

With everyone’s hectic schedules, we don’t even notice how quickly a day passes and our health suffers as a result. How do you incorporate yoga into your daily routine with such a hectic schedule, and what can you practice?

For all the workaholics out there, here are some simple and efficient yogic techniques to get in shape. It only takes 15 minutes, and you don’t even have to leave the house. These asanas can be done from where you are sitting and during short work breaks.

Sukha Purvaka Pranayama

This pranayama is effortless breathing that focuses on breathing deeply into each section of the lungs, as the name says. There is a strong emphasis on both internal and exterior breath retention.

Steps:

– Simply breathe in for 4 to 6 counts, filling the lungs up.

– Hold the breath, ideally for the same count, or it can be as long as you can.

– Exhale for 4 to 6 counts, holding the breath out for the same time or as long as you can.

– This completes one round.

– You can start with 10 rounds and increase the repetition with practice.

Benefits:

This pranayama is excellent for increasing the lung capacity, hence improving the oxygen level in the body along with the multitude of benefits it can give to mental and physical health. As a result, focus at work is improved benefit for all the workaholics, isn’t it?

Chair Garudasana

The Eagle Stance, also known as Chair Garudasana, is a balancing pose. You will feel a stretch in your shoulders, upper back, and thighs as you perform this sitting in your office chair. This stretch will relax your body and is a great way to unwind after a long day at work.

Steps:

– Sit at the edge of the chair with your feet on the floor.

– Breath in to bend your elbows and open your arms.

– As you exhale, bring the right knee over the left.

– Send the right toe at the back of the calf muscles. Simultaneously, bring the left elbow under the right and single – or double rap the palms.

– Stay in this pose for 3 to 5 deep breaths.

– You can repeat it on the other side.

Benefits:

This pose is excellent for stretching the posterior chain of the body along with the triceps.

It is great to increase focus and release anxiety.

Chair Pawanmuktasana

The Sanskrit words Pawan means air, Mukta means free, and asana means posture, therefore Chair Pawanmuktasana (Gas Releasing Pose) is derived from them. This position is beneficial to your digestive system, thus it relieves the discomfort that we typically have after our lunch break, which disrupts our work.

Steps:

– Sit at the edge of the chair with your spine elongated and your feet on the floor.

– Breathe in and bend the right knee and hug the right shin as you exhale, reducing the distance between the abdomen and thigh.

– Stay here for 3 to 5 breaths and with every exhalation, keep elongating the spine and pressing the thigh towards the abdomen.

– Repeat the same on the other leg. You can practise this 3 to 5 times and increase the repetitions with practice.

Benefits

This asana improves and regulates digestion and helps release excess air in the digestive system.

It also helps strengthen the core muscles and aids weight loss.

Chair Vakrasana

Chair Vakrasana, also known as the Half Twisted Pose, is a practice that most of us have been practising unconsciously because it feels so good. Back discomfort is relieved and side fat is reduced as you twist on both sides. If you work for long hours, this is a perfect asana to do every 2-3 hours.

Steps:

– Sit at the edge of the chair with your feet on the floor, knee and ankle in line with each other.

– Breathe in, raise your hands up and, as you exhale, twist to the right with the right hand on the head of the chair and the left hand on the outside of the right thigh.

– Use the resistance of your hands to press the right shoulder back to bring the shoulders into one line.

– Stay in this pose for 3 to 5 breaths and with every inhalation, lengthen the spine and twist deeper with every exhalation.

– Repeat the same on both sides. You can repeat this asana 3 to 5 times and slowly increase the repetition with practice.

Benefits:


This pose is like a boon to your spine, it helps keep the spinal column healthy and supple.

This also helps improve digestion, and keeps the internal organs healthy.

Chair Paschimottanasana

Chair Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bending Pose) is a stretch that targets your back and hamstrings while stretching your complete body. When you’re in this position, both your mind and body feel at ease. Your body’s blood circulation relaxes you and offers you the energy to return to work with a clear head. You won’t have to worry about belly fat because it focuses on the core.

Steps:

– While sitting at the edge of the chair, straighten the legs as much as possible and keep the heels on the floor.

– Breathe in to raise your arms up, breath out to hinge from the hip while keeping the back straight and fold forward as much as possible. If this is too difficult one can also simply fold forward with bent knees.

– Stay here for 3 to 5 breaths and try to deepen the fold with every exhalation.

– Repeat this 3 times and with practice increase the reps.

Benefits:

This pose helps stretch the back muscles and improves the function of the digestive system.

It is perfect to release anxiety and brings you to a very calm state of mind.

Alternatively, you can utilise our SARVA app. Many soundtracks for relaxation and guided meditation are available on our app and can be accessed anytime, anywhere. You now have great yogic practices at your disposal to keep you healthy on the fly. These are easy to do and may be done anywhere and at any time. Don’t let your hectic schedule keep you from being healthy; instead, apply these tips and take the first step now.

ALSO READ-Simple yoga poses to improve spinal health

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Business COVID-19 India News

CAIT demands ‘Work from Home’ policy

The Confederation of All India Traders on Thursday reiterated its demand for a “Work from Home” policy…reports Asian Lite News

The traders’ body urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct authorities concerned to formulate rules and regulations for this as “Work from Home” concept “will make work hassle free, increasing productivity, working efficiency for employees”.

“Covid-19 has brought a new business model in India and over the globe, the ‘Work from Home’ model, which has evolved on its own, has proved to be a successful working model throughout the country,” CAIT President B.C. Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said in a statement.

CAIT demands ‘Work from Home’ policy

“Not only the corporate or industry sector but even the self-organised sector consisting of small businesses has too embraced the virtual work world. This model has the capabilities to reduce the infrastructure cost considerably.”

“As per an estimate, about 17 per cent of expenses of any company is considered to be a cost to infrastructure and as such ‘Work from Home’ concept makes companies a saving of about 12 per cent from infrastructure cost, as remaining 5 per cent cost is attributed to maintaining and running the office infrastructure,” the statement said.

Also, it helps in reducing traffic on the roads as it also minimises load on public transport and reduces pollution to a greater extent, it said.

ALSO READ: RBI keeps key rates unchanged

“While everyone is happy with this arrangement in the short run, conflicts between the employer and employee will arise in the long haul due to the absence of proper protocols for Work from Home,” the statement added.

“Therefore it is important to govern it to prevent future hustles and become an effective tool of highest productivity which will ultimately culminate into substantial growth of GDP and economy of the country.”

Categories
Fashion Lifestyle Lite Blogs

‘Embrace’: Collection for WFH- Workleisure

The collection includes already built ensembles that require little to no styling, lightweight and breathable fabrics, seamless finish combined with comfy-style garments…writes Puja Gupta.

Work from home has become a new lifestyle since we are going through the pandemic era. During the pandemic, people’s relationship with clothes has shifted significantly, as people prioritize comfort and convenience over appearance. Furthermore, the lockdown has left most of us with little or no desire to prepare a new look daily. For working women, it has actually become an even greater burden and source of anxiety.

Amid the pandemic, Qua launched ‘Embrace’, a new collection designed for WFH- Workleisure! The collection has become a huge success given that it adapted perfectly to the growing need for more comfortable yet presentable clothing for Zoom meetings.

Rupanshi, founder of Qua says, “Dressing up can motivate you and increase your productivity as well. The flared and relaxed fits of the shirts, co-ords, and dresses make dressing up easier, without compromising on comfort. On days when you are feeling uninspired, you can wear the co-ord or dress as it is and still look dressed up. These outfits can be elevated further by layering them with shirts and blazers, on days when you want to feel like a true professional.”

The collection includes already built ensembles that require little to no styling, lightweight and breathable fabrics, seamless finish combined with comfy-style garments. The key garments of the collection namely smart co-ords, casual shirts, and chic dresses are made of premium fabrics like moss crepe, viscose, and cotton, which provide optimum breathability and homely comfort. These practical wardrobe must-haves have been a great help to working women in order to maintain a work-life balance, as the garments are comfortable to wear, chic, and a great addition to the 9-5 and beyond wardrobe.

There have been studies that show how dressing up for work can improve performance. The brand also conducted a poll, where 100 women participated, which revealed that 84 percent of women felt unproductive while working from home and 85 percent of women agreed that dressing up for work increased their productivity.

Despite the shift in the workplace due to the pandemic, dressing up for work still holds much value as it gives people a sense of professionalism. By dressing up appropriately even for zoom meetings, you can adequately prepare yourself for the day ahead, otherwise, you might get caught in the ‘working from bed’ vortex.

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Food Lite Blogs

Be healthier with a smart lifestyle

These uncertain times have encouraged us to take a pause, be grateful and enjoy each moment as it comes…writes Siddhi Jain.

Work from home has become a common routine or lifestyle. The work-from-home routine in 2020 brought many families closer as they found themselves under the same roof for an extended period of time. As curfews restrict movement and people have to home shelter, setting health goals can help you achieve wellness as a family while you stay safe.

Madhuri Ruia, nutritionist and Pilates expert shares how you can become each other’s cheerleaders by encouraging a healthier, happier lifestyle:

Invest in indoor fitness tools

The lockdown has turned up the heat on indoor fitness, pushing everyone to strive for a healthier way of living. Investing together in online fitness classes or even props like resistance bands and dumbbells is the perfect way for you and your siblings to stay on top of your fitness routine. Motivate each other daily and take consistency to another level by following the habit-forming 21/90 rule. This will not only boost self-confidence but will also leave you feeling rejuvenated and relaxed after a long day’s work.

Take mini-breaks

The solution for WFH stress is to take work-free breaks during the day. The lockdown made us realize that there is more to life than deadlines and virtual calls. These uncertain times have encouraged us to take a pause, be grateful and enjoy each moment as it comes. Small things like taking a 15-minute break with your family members every three hours for a cup of coffee, a game of catch, or a quick comedy show will instantly liven up the mood, making the day feel lighter and less mundane. The little moments help clear the headspace, which improves productivity, helping you, work better.

Embrace a nutty start to the day

Being Nut-wise: Busting the myths about almonds.

While we focus on staying fit and toning our bodies, one thing that we often forget is to provide it with the right nutrition. Starting your day with nuts like almonds will give your body the energy boost it needs during the day. Almonds are rich in Vitamin B2, Vitamin E, magnesium, and phosphorus; nutrients that are known to provide energy that help keep you active. A handful of almonds may have satiating properties that promote a feeling of fullness, which helps limit unhealthy snacking by keeping hunger at bay. Almonds contain immunity supporting nutrients like zinc, copper, and folate. Starting your day the nutty way will help you and your siblings reap nutritious benefits that not only add a natural glow but also help manage diabetes and improve heart health.

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