An inner HR electronic mail mandating conventional apparel on Fridays, with fines for non-compliance, has sparked backlash on-line after an worker shared the message on social media.

In line with the e-mail, staff on the firm’s head workplace are required to put on conventional Indian apparel each Friday as a part of a “Conventional Fridays” initiative. Those that fail to conform shall be requested to contribute Rs 100, whereas members of senior administration who don’t comply with the rule shall be fined Rs 500.

The e-mail stated the collected quantity can be deposited into a company social duty (CSR) fund maintained on the head workplace. It described the transfer as an effort to encourage cultural participation and make Fridays “vibrant, festive and impactful.”

The worker who shared the e-mail stated the workplace earlier adopted informal Fridays earlier than the rule was modified, including that the sudden enforcement left many staff confused and upset.

“We had informal fridays for the primary 6 months i used to be right here. Then, they modified it to formals/conventional on fridays and i used to be like, okay. Most of us put on formals, together with me (i simply do not have easy indian put on and don’t wish to spend money on any). They ship this mail right now and that i misplaced it…is that this even authorized? Lowkey wanna present up in a lehenga and name it “conventional” to piss them off,” the worker wrote.

Just got this email from my HR. Do they have nothing better to do?
byu/Beautiful-Apricot-36 inIndianWorkplace

Netizens response

The submit, shared on Reddit’s r/IndianWorkplace discussion board, rapidly drew criticism, with customers questioning the legality and equity of penalising staff for his or her alternative of clothes.

“Is not CSR supposed to return out of firm income? It is not a charity donation the place they need everybody to pitch in. Ask for tax deduction certificates and whether or not are you able to select which charity to donate to,” a consumer replied.

“Hello! Lawyer this aspect. This isn’t authorized. An organization can not impose fines on their staff for a sure work apparel. Additionally, CSR is a authorized obligation on an organization, not its staff,” one other famous.

“Encouraging tradition is ok, however penalizing individuals for what they put on feels misplaced. Participation ought to be non-compulsory, pressured “enjoyable” normally simply breeds resentment, not engagement,” a 3rd expressed.