Chandigarh, Aug 17: The Haryana government has directed all industrial units in the state to introduce a daily five-minute "Y-Break" — a short session of yogasanas, pranayama and meditation — aimed at improving employee well‑being and creating a less stressful work environment. The state emphasised that participation will be voluntary and the exercise should not disrupt normal operations.
Implementation rules and training
The advisory, issued by the AYUSH Department, instructs industrial establishments to organise yoga camps and training sessions so that each workplace has trained staff to lead the short breaks. Under the scheme, industrial units must ensure at least one trained employee for every 50 workers within a month of the directive, the department said.
For units operating in shifts, the requirement extends across shifts: there should be at least one trained employee for every group of 50 workers in each working shift to ensure round‑the‑clock coverage.
"Each workplace will host yoga camps and training sessions, with at least one employee per 50 workers trained within a month to lead the sessions," Additional Chief Secretary, AYUSH Department, Dr Sumita Misra said.
The AYUSH Department has written to the Industries and Commerce Department asking it to circulate the advisory to all industrial units and industry associations with directions for time‑bound implementation aligned to a prescribed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the communiqué said.
Coordination at district level
District‑level coordination has been assigned to the General Manager, District Industries Centre (GM‑DIC), who will work with the District Ayurveda Officer to set up schedules for the yoga camps and to identify employees for training. The rollout will be supported by designated "Yoga Sahayaks" who will guide the process at the workplace level.
The advisory follows a commitment made in the state budget for 2026‑27 by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, which proposed the observance of a daily five‑minute Y‑Break across the workforce in industrial units.
What the advisory requires
- Duration: Five minutes per day of yogasanas, pranayama and meditation techniques.
- Participation: Voluntary for employees.
- Training ratio: At least one trained employee per 50 workers; applicable per shift where shifts operate.
- Implementation support: Yoga Sahayaks, GM‑DIC and District Ayurveda Officer to coordinate camps and training.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Daily break length | 5 minutes |
| Participation | Voluntary |
| Training timeline | At least one trained employee per 50 workers within a month |
| Coordination | GM‑DIC with District Ayurveda Officer and Yoga Sahayaks |
Practical considerations and workplace impact
Authorities have stressed that the short sessions must be conducted safely and without disruptive effects on production schedules or safety protocols. Industrial managers are expected to adapt the timing of the Y‑Break to operational needs and ensure that trained employees are available across shifts.
By mandating a trainer ratio and district coordination, the state seeks to standardise the practice rather than leave it solely to the discretion of individual employers. The focus on pranayama and meditation signals an emphasis on stress reduction and mental well‑being as part of workplace health measures.
Next steps
The AYUSH Department has forwarded the SOP and the advisory to the Industries and Commerce Department, which will be responsible for disseminating the instructions to industrial units and associations. District officials will then work to implement training schedules and the selection of employee facilitators.
No compulsory penalties or enforcement measures were mentioned in the advisory; the government reiterated that adoption of the Y‑Break is voluntary and intended to enhance employee welfare and productivity.
