Yogi Adityanath proposes 2-day weekly WFH after PM Modi’s appeal: Are demerits like social isolation being overlooked?

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has proposed a two-day weekly work-from-home (WFH) model for employees in large industrial units, IT companies and startups as part of a wider push to save fuel and reduce costs.

The move comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to adopt energy-saving practices, including WFH.

While the policy may offer benefits such as lower commuting expenses, are we overlooking possible demerits like loneliness, social isolation and mental strain?

Let us take a closer look at what working from home actually means in practice.

How many companies are offering WFH jobs in India?

Remote work in India is no longer limited to a few firms.

According to Forbes Advisor India (July 2024), 12.7% of full-time employees in India work fully from home, while 28.2% work in hybrid roles.
The same report states that 59.1% still work fully in offices, showing that WFH is growing but not universal.

Globally, the trend is stronger.

The Forbes Advisor global report notes that 16% of companies operate fully remote, meaning they have no physical office at all.
It also highlights that computer and IT is the top industry for remote work, followed by finance, marketing and healthcare roles.
The report also shows that 93% of employers plan to continue remote interviews, reflecting long-term acceptance of digital hiring.

In India, major companies such as Infosys, Wipro, and HCLTech have adopted hybrid or flexible work models in recent years.

Global firms with large Indian operations, including Accenture, IBM, and Deloitte, also support remote and hybrid arrangements for suitable roles. (AI generated image used for representation).

In what ways does working from home benefit the nation?

Working from home can support the wider economy in several practical ways.

First, it helps businesses reduce operational costs.

A report by Global Workplace Analytics estimates that companies can save around ₹8–10 lakh per employee per year.
This includes office space, utilities and related expenses when remote work is adopted in large teams.
These savings can be redirected towards innovation, training or expansion.

Second, WFH expands access to jobs beyond major cities.

This is important in a country where a large share of employment is concentrated in urban hubs.
Remote roles allow skilled workers from smaller towns to participate in national and global projects without relocating.
This can improve income distribution and digital inclusion.

Third, digital workflows encourage investment in broadband, cloud systems and cybersecurity.

According to industry surveys, companies that adopt hybrid systems also increase spending on collaboration tools and online infrastructure.

Finally, flexible work models can improve employee retention.

Lower attrition reduces hiring costs and stabilises productivity.
When managed well, remote work can strengthen competitiveness while widening opportunity across regions.

What are the salary differences between a WFH job and an on-site job?

In most cases, salary depends on skill level, experience and industry, not simply on whether the job is remote or office-based.

Data from Indian job portals shows that remote IT professionals can earn between ₹5 lakh and ₹15 lakh per year, depending on role and experience.
These figures are similar to comparable on-site positions in software and technology companies.
For entry-level roles such as customer support or data processing, monthly salaries often range from ₹15,000 to ₹35,000, whether the employee works from home or in an office.
Companies usually follow standard industry pay bands.

However, some differences may appear in allowances.

Office-based roles may include travel reimbursements or meal benefits.
Remote roles may instead offer internet reimbursements or home-office support.

Freelance and contract-based WFH work can vary widely. Payments may be project-based, which means income can fluctuate month to month.

For an individual, does WFH have more advantages or disadvantages?

For knowledge-based roles, such as IT, design, writing or analysis, WFH often increases autonomy.

Studies on remote productivity show that employees gain longer focused work periods, fewer office interruptions, and better control over schedules.
This can improve output in tasks that require concentration.
On the advantage side, remote work can also reduce relocation pressure.
People can work for national or international firms without moving cities.
This widens career options, especially for those outside major job hubs.
It may also support parents, caregivers and people managing health conditions by offering flexibility.

However, the disadvantages are real.

Social interaction declines, which can affect teamwork and morale.
Informal learning, often gained from office discussions, may reduce.
Some employees also report difficulty separating work and home life, leading to longer working hours.

Conclusion: For most skilled, digitally based roles, advantages slightly outweigh disadvantages. Without discipline and support, disadvantages can become stronger.

In which sectors can WFH never be an option?

Some sectors require physical presence because the work depends on machinery, direct service or on-site supervision.

In these cases, remote work is either impossible or extremely limited.

For example, manufacturing industries need workers to operate equipment, monitor production lines and handle materials safely.
Factory processes cannot be controlled fully from home.
Similarly, construction work requires engineers, labourers and site supervisors to be present at the location.
The healthcare sector also relies heavily on physical presence.
Doctors, nurses, technicians and emergency staff must interact directly with patients.
Although telemedicine exists, surgeries, diagnostics and hospital care require on-site work.
Retail and hospitality roles, such as store staff, hotel operations and restaurant service, depend on customer interaction in physical spaces.
Public transport services, security forces and field-based government officers also cannot function remotely.