Cognizant has asked employees at some of its campuses to follow a “Bring Your Own Food” (BYOF) approach.
This means employees are encouraged to carry meals from home instead of depending on office cafeterias.
The move comes as companies deal with disruptions caused by a shortage of commercial LPG across India.
What’s Causing the Problem?
The issue is linked to a wider LPG shortage.
Authorities are currently prioritising domestic household gas supply, which has reduced the availability of LPG cylinders for commercial use.
Because of this, food vendors inside large office campuses are struggling to cook meals, especially in major IT hubs like Bengaluru, Pune, and Chennai.
As a result, many cafeterias are cutting down services or shutting some counters.
How Companies Are Responding
Cognizant says business operations are not affected, but it is preparing for a “prolonged stress” situation in food services.
Other IT companies are also taking similar steps:
Infosys has shut down live food counters in some offices
HCLTech has allowed temporary work-from-home for some employees
Many firms have reduced menu options or stopped fresh cooking
These steps are aimed at reducing pressure on limited LPG supplies.
New Food Solutions Being Explored
To deal with the situation, companies are looking at alternatives to LPG-based cooking.
Some options include:
Switching to electric or induction cooking
Partnering with cloud kitchens
Using centralised food supply systems
These solutions could help reduce dependence on LPG in the long run.
What This Means for Employees
The situation is challenging for many employees, especially those who rely on office food daily.
People living in hostels or paying-guest accommodations may find it harder, as they may not have access to cooking facilities.
If the shortage continues, companies may consider flexible work options like hybrid or remote work.
This situation shows how even essential services like office food can be affected by supply disruptions, pushing companies and employees to quickly adapt.
