How Can I Address Punctuality Issues at Work Without Hurting Team Morale?

Dear All,

I am stationed at a city office, which is basically a LAND ACQUISITION office of an MNC. The staff consists of around 20 persons, of whom almost all are not punctual in time. Although there is a punching machine available, it is just a swapping card, so anybody can swap for anyone. I am seriously looking forward to gaining control of this situation without hurting anyone's dignity, irrespective of their levels.

Please guide me on this.

Karan Adhikari

Hi,

You may define key performance areas and indicators (KPA/KPI) for all employees and establish a link between performance and payout. If the availability of personnel in the office throughout office hours is essential to ensure productivity, you may announce that you are going to closely monitor attendance and plan to link attendance with payroll. This is one way of doing it.

I think your company is maintaining security by monitoring the time sheet and ensuring that security personnel note employee timings. Please release a circular regarding office timings.

Regards, P. Bapuji

Dear Karan,

Please circulate the IN-TIMING of the office along with the deductions or warnings to be given if a person is late. Also, maintain a manual muster to cross-check things. You would not be hurting anyone by teaching discipline. Start with warnings and proceed with deductions; that's the only way to make them disciplined.

You can also use a biometric system for marking attendance, where the possibility of proxy attendance marking is negated.

Hi Karan,

What I suggest is you change the attendance machine to a Fingerprint Authentication-Based Time Attendance System. This will prevent the problem of anybody punching anyone's card.

Once this is done, you will be able to identify the habitual latecomers, and you can call and ask them for the reason. In case they continue to arrive late, you can give them a warning.

You can also issue a notice that action will be taken against regular latecomers.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Supriya

Hi,

Indeed, this is a serious problem. Hence, I would suggest that you maintain a register with the security to keep track of your employees' in and out movements. At the end of the week, monitor it, and anyone found violating the rule should receive a punishment, such as a deduction of one CL for being 4 days late.

Sujata

Hi Karan,

I already faced this problem in my company when I joined. Then I started a timesheet that I attached; maybe it will help you.

Regards,
Bhupendra Kumar Agrahari