Zomato requests users to avoid ordering during ‘peak’ afternoon, receives backlash

3 June 2024

Amidst the ongoing heatwave characterized by high temperatures, especially in the afternoon, the food-delivery platform Zomato made a special appeal to its users via the social media platform X. 

The post made a request saying, “Please avoid ordering during peak afternoon unless absolutely necessary”. Several users defended it saying it was a valid request to avoid affecting delivery partners who are forced to roam outside in such high-temperature conditions. However, many others criticized the platform for putting forward such a request.

pls avoid ordering during peak afternoon unless absolutely necessary 🙏

— zomato (@zomato) June 2, 2024

Users have posted other constructive ways in which Zomato could have handled this issue. A user has suggested that Zomato should just suspend their services in the afternoon during peak hours instead of requesting people to not order, as orders are only made when it is absolutely necessary. Other users have mentioned that the food delivery app should take steps to beat the heat and take preventive measures to protect their employees. Users are flooding the comments, with criticism and support from a handful, to the request.

Why don't instead suspend your services during peak afternoon?

— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) June 2, 2024

The ongoing heatwave has certainly caused many deaths. According to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), as many as 56 people have died due to temperatures ranging between 44-46 degrees Celsius throughout the country. Out of these, 46 deaths occurred in May alone. 

And who order food that too from outside unnecessarily? 🤔

I guess nobody.

People order food only when they are in need, in emergency or when cannot cook

And one idea is that you can ask them to use this kind of roof it is of around 800 rs@deepigoyal
You can add this pic.twitter.com/HyL4aiQx1Z

— Vibhor Varshney (@nakulvibhor) June 2, 2024

A food delivery app is avoiding delivery. not a good idea though; instead, you should focus on the prevention of the heat that can be taken by the delivery man.

— Dhimahi Jain (@Dhimahi11) June 2, 2024