The government of Haryana notifies conditions for employment of women during night shifts

The government of Haryana had already permitted ITs, lTeS, banking establishment, three star or above hotels, hundred per cent export-oriented establishments, logistics and warehousing establishments to employ women during the night shifts from 08:00 PM to 06:00 AM subject to the following conditions laid down vide notification no. 11/26/2025-4Lab dated May 8, 2025 (“Notification”):

1. An application for exemption under Section 28 of the Punjab Shop and Commercial Establishment Act, 1958 (“Act”), (Power to grant exemptions), is duly obtained within one (1) month, prior to the date of commencement of the period in respect of which the exemption for employment of women during night shift is prayed for. The exemption will be valid for a period of one year.

2. The employer is required to observe the provisions of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and the rules made thereunder (“PoSH”), to prevent commission of sexual harassment and to provide the procedures for the resolution; statement of’ victim or prosecution of acts of sexual harassment. The employer must submit annual returns under the PoSH act to the district authority and also to the labour commissioner, Haryana.

3. A declaration shall also be submitted by the employer stating that they have obtained consent from each women employee to work during night shift 08:00 PM to 06:00 AM.

Apart from the aforementioned procedural aspects, the employer is granted liberty through the Notification, to employ women employees as a whole or in part during the night shift.

However, such employment is permitted only when there exists, proper lighting inside the premises of the shop/establishment, in the surrounding of the shop/establishment and in all places where the female employees may move out of necessity in the course of night shift. Sufficient security guards must also be present during nights shifts.

In addition to the lighting, proper transportation facility shall be provided to the female workers from their residence and back to their residence in which security guards (including female security guard) who are well trained shall be present along with responsible drivers. There shall also be proper communication channels in each vehicle. Other practical measures such as installation of CCTV cameras, GPS etc. may also be provided in each vehicle to ensure the safety and security of female workers.

Women workers may also give their consent to the employer to come to workplace by herself. Subject to the condition that the employer/occupier may pool the transportation facility by tie-up with the external transporters.

The women workers can be employed in a batch of not less than four (4). However, in IT, ITeS sector, quorum may be relaxed for any women in senior position (earning more than One lakh per month) subject to her consent given to work in night.

The employer is also required to give appropriate medical facility by way of engaging a doctor/female nurse during the night shift. However, the employer/occupier has an option to pool the ambulance services and other necessary medical facilities by tie-up with the nearby hospital to meet any emergent situation during the night shift. The important telephone numbers such as hospitals, ambulance, police etc. shall be displayed at prominent places.

If the establishment/management provides boarding and lodging arrangements for the women employees, the same shall be kept exclusively for the women under the control of women wardens or supervisors.

In addition to the provisions of the Act, the employer is required to ensure payment as per the Equal Remuneration Act and the employer is required to observe all other labour legislations including but not limited to ESI and Haryana Labour Welfare Fund, Haryana.

By following the aforementioned directions and conditions, employers in Haryana can employ women during night shifts.