Bhubaneswar, 6th Aug 2025: Women employees in Odisha can now be assigned night shifts in factories and other commercial establishments, but only with mandatory written consent, according to a new notification by the State Labour Department.
The directive lays emphasis on the safety and security of female employees and includes the following key guidelines:
- Minimum three women employees must be posted per night shift in an office.
- Mandatory provision of transportation with GPS tracking.
- Employers must ensure pick-up and drop facility from/to the employee’s residence.
- Driver details must be submitted to the police in advance.
- Proper facilities like drinking water, clean washrooms, CCTV coverage, and adequate lighting at the workplace are compulsory.
- This move aims to encourage women’s participation in the workforce while ensuring their security during night hours.