Understanding Transportation Policies for Night Shift Employees

Legal Obligations for Night Shift Transportation

Is the company legally liable to provide a mode of transport to night shift male workers? A company can do it in good faith, but are there any legal bindings—as per an act—on the company to do it?

Regards,
BIC

Dear BIC,

There is no obligation on the part of the employer to provide transportation to male employees and to female employees during the prescribed working hours as per the Factories Act. Any obligation that may arise could be due to any settlement or agreement between employees/unions and management in this regard.

Regards,
Shailesh Parikh
Vadodara, Gujarat
99 98 97 10 65

Thanks, it is clear. I always thought the judgment of the Supreme Court only covers female employees working late evening/night shifts. So, as you mention, unless there is a pre-agreement, the company is not legally obliged to provide transportation for male employees to and from the workplace.

Regards,
BIC.

Though it does not have any legal binding, employees look at it purely as a facility provided by the company and get emotionally attached. Please be careful when you plan to discontinue the service as it might lead to attrition and demotivation. We are not sure how long your employees have been traveling to work.

I agree with Murali Kandukuri.

For female employees, I know it is mandatory to provide them transportation under escort after sunset, which usually most of the companies do. There is also a levy wherein companies deduct a substantial amount and the rest is borne by the company, but this will have to be shared with the employee prior to joining the company. In some companies, this is made mandatory, and the cost is covered under CTC.