How Can I Adjust Office Hours to 48 Per Week Without Upsetting Employees?

Dear All,

I am working with a construction company, and our office timing is 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, including a break from Monday to Friday and a half-day on Saturday, i.e., 9:30 am to 1:30 pm without a break, which totals 44 hours per week. Now, my management thinks they should revise the timing to make it 48 hours a week as per labor law. Can anyone help me with how I should go about issuing this policy without creating grievances among the employees? Or can anyone help me with how I should make my management understand to avoid going ahead with this policy?

Break Time Regulations

What is the official time to give a break as per the law? Like, how long should it be within 8 hours?

Awaiting a quick response.

Thanks,

Darakshan
HR

As per your working timings, your employees work from Monday to Friday for 7.5 hours daily, totaling 37.5 hours (excluding break intervals), and an additional 4 hours on Saturday. Therefore, the total working hours for employees amount to 41.5 hours per week. However, you mentioned they are working 44 hours.

Please ensure to verify the details before presenting any proposals to management. It is crucial to be clear on the regulations regarding working hours.

Regards,
Jagjeet

I am including a break as well. As per the law, I believe that a 48-hour workweek includes a break.

Regards,
Darakshan

Change in Working Hours and Legal Implications

Change in the working hours amounts to a change in conditions of employment. Therefore, Section 9A of the Industrial Disputes Act is applicable to this case. You cannot effect the change without giving the employees 21 days' notice as required under Section 9A of the Industrial Disputes Act. Once you give notice, the workmen/union may object to the change and may also raise an industrial dispute under the Industrial Disputes Act 1947. Therefore, do not effect any change without following the procedure.

Also, if you have a strong union/body of workmen, try to negotiate with them on this issue. Explain to your employers the legal requirements, and also whether there will be a possible or probable industrial unrest. You and your employer, who are directly on the field, are the best judges to ascertain whether there will be any industrial unrest if the working hours are changed.

With regards,