New Biometric Rules, Leave Deductions, and COVID-19's Impact on Work Culture
In Short:
- Government employees must be at their desks by 9:15 am.
- Biometric attendance using Aadhaar is mandatory.
- Latecomers risk losing half-day casual leave.
- Office hours are from 9 am to 5:30 pm.
- Habitual latecomers may face serious action.
- Employees should notify in advance for leaves.
- COVID-19 reshaped work culture, emphasizing remote work.
The central government has tightened its rules on office timings, requiring all employees to be at their desks by 9:15 am sharp. This new directive, issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), includes a 15-minute grace period for arrival.
Employees must use the Aadhaar-enabled biometric system to record their attendance, and those failing to sign in by 9:15 am will have half-day casual leave deducted from their records.
Government offices operate from 9 am to 5:30 pm. The DoPT circular stressed that habitual latecomers and those who leave early would face serious consequences, urging a stricter adherence to office timings.
The circular also reminded staff to inform their supervisors in advance if they need to take a day off, ensuring proper leave applications are submitted.
The use of the biometric attendance system, suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, was resumed last year.
Changing Work Culture Post-Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered work culture, with many employees in both public and private sectors finding that working from home boosts their productivity. However, as offices reopen, there is a mix of opinions on the benefits of in-office versus remote work.
Some IT firms, like Tata Consultancy Services, have linked office attendance to variable pay to encourage regular attendance. On the other hand, Cognizant warned employees about potential termination for not adhering to office attendance rules after asking them to come in thrice a week.
These changes reflect the ongoing debate about the best work practices in the post-pandemic era, balancing flexibility with the need for a physical presence in the office.