If An Employee Chooses Not To Attend An Office Picnic For Personal Reason , In That Case Should He/she Be Marked Present Since The Office Remains Closed On That Day

gud evening to all,
Hey I dont know more than you but what is in my mind is that if we devide these picnic in two parts 1) for social cause and 2) empliyees' productivity. Then it may become easy to make the employees' attendance mandetory or otherwise.
thanks
regrds

I have a question to be asked to you all in this context.
In our company the picnic is always organised on Saturday. Our company follow the practice of 6 days working a week. So we usually have to compensate for this, by working on a Sunday. If any one is not able to attend the picnic we mark them as absent. Please let me know from a employee prospective that this deduction or compensation is valid or not?
Mayank

Hi Mayank,
Many organizations take picnics on Saturday it being a weekend for two reasons -
1. Even if saturday is a working one, people are not as productive and workload is not as much as on a monday. (Except in manufacturing or related industry)
2. Sunday can be still spent with family.
Yes I do understand that the operations remain closed on account of picnic. However I fail to understand why do workers have to compensate for the closure on sunday.
If the operations cannot be closed and ought to practice 6 days working, why not take them to picnic on Sunday instead.
Another thing. When we follow 6 day working, and you are taking people to a picnic with a clause that if absent, leave/pay would be deducted, it is as good as a working day. Whereas there is a rest day after atleast 6days.
If you belong to manufacturing or related industry, I think factory's act prevents one to do this and have a full working week.
Still I think seniors can give advice on this.

Hey Ankita,
First of all thanks for your quick response on this query. Secondly yes we do belong to Manufacturing Industry. I personally feel that person attending the picnic should be exempt from compensation. Rather them getting motivated the employee gets demotivated to join us for the picnic.
Adding to my post :- In the Picnic we usually have a award ceremony which involves loyalty and recognition awards for the past year.
Mayank

Ankita raised a valid point.If you are factory covered by Factories Act and treat the picnic day as working day and mark absent an employee who abstains from picnic and make him work on Sunday, thus requiring him to be present for all six days in a week, how you manage weekly off for the employees since Sec.52 of the Factories Act directs that no adult worker shall be allowed to work continuously for 7 days a week and in other words he should have a holiday after six days of work in a week.It ii not the question of your personal feeling but it is a statutory requirement..
B.Saikumar
Mumbai

Harsh,
About the chocolate, try feeding them bitter chocolate, you may have to force it.

Saswatabanerjee,
Excellent Comment; much appreciated.
Regards,
Harsh

I would like to differ a bit with Harsh. What is valid reason for one maynot be a valid reason for other.For example I myself do not enjoy such picnics because whatever may be happening there one thing that surely happes is LOTS OF DRINKING ! I being a teetotaller feel sort of outcast and although on amicable terms with my colleagues they cannot enjoy ''those moments-rather hours!'' with me.

Hi Saibhakta,

I too am a teetotaler; in my position I am required to attend many functions where alcohol is consumed in (my opinion) obscene quantities.

Very often the host is quite surprised that I do not partake, and now at every function a jug of juice is set aside solely for me.

As I am never judgmental, or pass any comment whatsoever, I have never felt an outcast. Indeed I am respected for being a teetotaler.

Occasionally, somebody will comment, my response is just to smile and nod my head, but I do make a note and the next time I meet that person in a state of sobriety I do inform them that I do not drink because I choose not to just as they choose to do so and while they enjoy the drink I enjoy the "tamasha" that usually follows. This seems to do the trick and serves to further enhance my reputation.

So, never ever feel that you are an outcast, ultimately you will hold the moral high ground.

Before any members jump on me, may I reiterate that I am not judgmental and I still respect those that drink.

Incidentally, I am a veggie as well !!!

Warm regards,

Harsh