Forgetting To Clock In Or Out

I recently arrived at work at 7:30am and proceeded to start my normal tasks. At 8:00am I realized that I had forgotten to punch in on the time clock, which happens occasionally. Today i reported this to my supervisor who said that he had seen me arrive at 7:30 am and start working. He also told me that he would dock my pay 1/2 hour as punishment. Is this legal?

Hi jjss,
Is there any rules on the same?
Have you been given written warning letters with the consequences..
If not then it is not a correct step.
Regards,
Rajat

At our monthy shop meetings the subject has been addressed in general with all employees. I have not been given any written warnings. At the last meeting the supervisor said that if the problem persists that we would not be paid for any of the time worked for which we failed to punch the clock. There is no written policy, as such, that any of the employees are aware of.

Then i guess what they did was within the limits - afterall they have just deducted half n hour only..
So you have learnt the lesson the hard way..it hurts i know..
Cheerio,
Rajat

The supervisor is probably technically correct, but it seems a bit harsh to me, given that we are all humans and humans sometimes have memory lapses.
This kind of harsh approach does not do much for staff morale or team spirit.
I have recently started using a time clock at my work, and if we forget, we fill out an "adjustment slip" for the period and the Manager will sign the adjustment slip if they are satisfied that we have been at work for the time in question.
This is a no-blame, no-fuss approach that works really well and keeps the goodwill happening. My Manager has used humour to make the point that I need to be less forgetful and that works well for both of us.

I am also agree with Rajat's reply. But in my view there should some policy / precedent in your company for such action. Is this the first case in your company???
Kailash