Night Shift Permission for Women Employees in Haryana
Women can work night shifts in India only with written consent and safety arrangements in place. In Haryana, shops and commercial establishments also need a night exemption from the Labour Department. We prepare the application, the consent records and the safety file.
What it is
Night shift permission for women is the approval and paperwork an employer needs before rostering women employees at night. Section 43 of the OSH Code allows women to work in all establishments and all types of work, including between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., but only with their consent. The central OSH rules notified in May 2026 expect that consent in writing.
Haryana adds its own layer. A notification of 8 May 2025 (No. 11/26/2025-4Lab) sets conditions for women working at night in commercial establishments and factories. Shops and commercial establishments that fall in the listed sectors apply for an exemption under section 28 of the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958, as applicable in Haryana. Rules are changing, so we confirm the current route with the department before we file.
Who it applies to
IT, ITeS and banking units
These are listed sectors under the Haryana notification. Think of a Gurugram call centre running US-hours shifts. The shift starts at 8 p.m., so the exemption has to be in hand a month earlier.
Hotels, export units, logistics and warehouses
Three-star and above hotels, 100% export-oriented establishments, logistics and warehousing units are also covered by the shop and establishment route.
Factories
Factories have their own night window of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and extra safety duties such as a female security guard and CCTV. A Faridabad auto-parts unit adding a night packing line is the usual example.
Why it matters
You stay on the right side of the law
Rostering women at night without consent or the required exemption invites penalties and a labour inspector’s attention.
Women employees are protected
Consent, safe transport, lighting and a medical tie-up are the basic safeguards the rules expect from you.
Your operations keep running
A valid exemption, together with consent on file, supports night shift permission for women across a full year of rosters.
Documents required
Establishment papers
- Registration under the Shops and Establishments Act or factory licence
- Company incorporation certificate and PAN
- List of women employees on the night roster
Consent and roster
- Individual written consent from each woman employee
- Shift roster with batch strength
- Declaration by the employer that consent was obtained
Safety arrangements
- Transport plan with driver and guard details
- Lighting, CCTV and security guard details
- Medical tie-up and POSH Internal Committee details
How it works
Confirm your category and route
In practice, this step decides everything. We check whether you are a shop or commercial establishment, a factory or a unit covered by both, because the form and the authority change.
Collect consent and safety proof
We prepare a standalone consent form for each woman employee and list your transport, lighting, CCTV and medical arrangements.
File the exemption application
We prepare the application and declaration and submit it to the Labour Commissioner or Chief Inspector at least one month before the night shift starts.
Track approval and renew
We reply to department queries, give you the exemption copy and set a reminder before the one-year validity ends.
Haryana conditions at a glance
| Condition | What the notification expects |
|---|---|
| Night hours | 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for shops and establishments; 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for factories |
| Consent | Written consent from each woman employee |
| Batch size | At least four women together; relaxed for senior IT/ITeS staff earning above ₹1,00,000 a month |
| Transport | Pick-up and drop with trained driver and guard; vehicle with CCTV and GPS |
| Medical | Doctor or female nurse on site, or a tie-up with a nearby hospital |
| POSH | Compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 |
Here is the catch: the exemption is for your establishment, not a single employee, so a new batch of hires does not need a new exemption, but it does need fresh written consent. If you are setting up a unit, we also help with shop and establishment registration and factory licence. Staff on the night roster must be on your payroll compliance records with correct overtime.
Timelines
At least one month before
Apply for the exemption before the first night shift. Do not start rostering on the day you file.
One year validity
The exemption lasts one year. Apply for renewal in good time so there is no gap.
Before each roster change
Take fresh written consent when a new woman joins the night roster. A logistics hub that adds a second batch in November should do this before the first night.
What happens if you start night shifts without it
Penalty under the OSH Code
Section 94 sets a general penalty of ₹2 lakh to ₹3 lakh, and ₹2,000 per day for a continuing contravention after conviction.
State-law action
Working outside the exemption can lead to action under the state shops or factories law, and a stop to the night shift.
Safety and liability risk
If an incident happens on a night route and you have no consent or transport record, your position is weak.
Frequently asked questions
Can women work night shifts in India?
Yes, with their written consent and the safety arrangements the rules require. Section 43 of the OSH Code permits women to work between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. in all establishments, subject to consent. Employers must provide safe transport, lighting and POSH compliance. We prepare the consent forms and a simple safety file so you can show it on inspection.
Do I need an exemption from the Labour Department in Haryana?
Shops and commercial establishments in the listed sectors apply for a night exemption under section 28 of the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958. Apply at least one month before the shift begins. The exemption is valid for one year. We prepare the application and confirm the current process with the department.
Which sectors are covered in Haryana?
The Haryana notification lists IT, ITeS, banking, three-star and above hotels, 100% export-oriented establishments, logistics and warehousing. Factories follow a separate window of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. If your sector is not listed, tell us your activity and we will check the position before you roster anyone at night.
What are the night hours?
For shops and establishments, the Haryana notification treats 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as night. For factories, it is 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The OSH Code refers to 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. We will tell you which window your unit falls under before you finalise your roster.
How many women must be on a shift together?
The Haryana conditions expect at least four women together on a night shift. The batch rule is relaxed for senior IT and ITeS staff earning above ₹1,00,000 a month. If your night team is smaller, we look at how the roster can be restructured to meet the condition.
Is employer transport compulsory?
The employer must make sure women get safe pick-up and drop. The notification allows the employee to arrange transport with written consent, but the vehicle conditions still apply: trained driver, guard, CCTV and GPS. We prepare the transport plan and a format for recording consent.
How long is the exemption valid?
The exemption is valid for one year. You should apply for renewal before it ends so night shifts continue without a break. We keep a reminder for you and prepare the renewal papers, including updated consent and roster details.
Is POSH compliance linked to night shifts?
Yes, the conditions expect full compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, including an Internal Committee and annual report. A night-shift exemption without these in place can be questioned. We check this during intake and tell you what is missing.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
Ready to begin?
Tell us your sector, shift timings and number of women on the roster. We will prepare the consent records and the night exemption file.