Delhi’s rising pollution is alarming for organizations as professionals are leaving the city

Delhi’s rising population has impacted the job market now. While people applying for CXO level are refusing to be relocated in Delhi, employers are also receiving requests from current employees to be shifted to other locations in India, citing pollution reason.

“The situation is serious as candidates feel quality of life in Delhi-NCR has deteriorated with children falling sick and being confined to their homes. Working mothers are finding it hard to cope with this," Ronesh Puri, MD, Executive Access (India) told the Times of India.

Joseph Devasia, MD, Antal International, India, told TOI that the situation spelt a major catastrophe on the talent front, adding a new dimension for HR towards retention. "In one week, we had two candidates refusing to travel to Delhi for interviews. This crisis has also affected professionals currently working in Delhi - we are seeing a spurt in applications to leave," said Devasia.

Even a few months before, the situation was quite different. Encouraged by the lifestyle, many professionals from other metros would prefer the national capital over any other cities. Monster employment’s 2016 report has shows that the the annual growth momentum had witnessed maximum advancement in Delhi-NCR in the month, up 11 points to 26% from 15% in August 2016. However the recent rise in pollution level has catalysed the crisis.

Sergey Savchenko, CEO, MTS India, told the leading newspaper, "From a business standpoint, if things continue unchecked, it is bound to have a negative impact on the health of employees, their families and also the customers, ultimately leading to an adverse impact on business activities across the value chain."

To deal with the situation, several Delhi-based employers are giving employees an opportunity to work from home. Other arrangements have included company charter bus service and car pools to get people to office.