Reach Office by 9:15 am or Face Half-Day Leave: Centre Warns Employees
Cracking down on “latecomers”, the Central Government has issued a stern directive mandating that all employees must reach office by 9:15 am, with a 15-minute grace period included. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) circulated this order, emphasizing the need for punctuality.
According to the new mandate, employees must reach office by 9:15 am and record their attendance using the Aadhaar-enabled biometric system. The Times of India reported that those failing to do so will face a half-day casual leave deduction.
Punctuality Policy Highlights
- Mandatory Arrival Time: All employees are required to reach office by 9:15 am.
- Attendance Recording: Use of the Aadhaar-enabled biometric system for recording attendance.
- Penalty for Lateness: Half-day casual leave will be deducted for late arrivals.
The directive clearly states, “Habitual late coming and early leaving of office should be viewed seriously and discouraged. Action against the same may be initiated.” This policy underscores the government’s intent to maintain discipline and punctuality in its offices, which operate from 9 am to 5:30 pm.
Attendance and Leave Management
Employees are also required to inform their supervisors in advance if they are unable to attend office on a given day. This must be accompanied by a casual leave application.
Senior officers noted that they often work beyond the stipulated hours, frequently leaving after 7 pm. With increased digitization, many files are now available electronically, allowing for some degree of remote work.
Resumption of Biometric Attendance
The use of the Aadhaar-enabled biometric attendance system had been suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the government resumed its use in 2022 to ensure accurate tracking of attendance.
Impact of Covid-19 on Work Culture
The Covid-19 pandemic significantly altered work culture, pushing many sectors to adopt remote work practices. Employees in both public and private sectors have claimed that work-from-home arrangements enhanced productivity levels.
While several companies continue to offer flexible remote work options, others are emphasizing the importance of in-office attendance. For instance, Tata Consultancy Services has linked office attendance to variable pay incentives to encourage regular office presence. Cognizant made news in May by warning employees of potential termination for non-compliance with in-office attendance rules, following a directive for employees to be in office thrice a week starting February.
