Field Work Dilemma: How Would You Handle an Employee Leaving Early Without Notice?

One man asked me about a situation where one of your staff members was supposed to work in the field for two days but completed the work in one day and then left without informing anyone. You received information that he had left the field without any notice. What should I do in this situation? Please suggest any ideas or responses to this query.

Thanks & regards.

The person concerned needs to be counselled for the first time. Secondly, when such people put up a tour program, it needs to be vetted carefully for duration, places, etc. The main point is the person should not be allowed to make it a habit of taking such unofficial time off. This habit may spread to other employees as well. It is crucial to nip such development in the beginning stage itself - counsel the individual, issue a warning the next time, and finally terminate those who continue this behavior.

Handling Employee Absenteeism After Completing Work Early

If your staff has completed a two-day work assignment in just one day and did not resume duties on the second day, then he should be treated as absent. Call him and ask for an explanation. If the explanation is not satisfactory, then issue a show cause notice. If the employee cannot prove his presence, take disciplinary action.

When field duties are assigned, the manager estimates the time duration and allocates the work accordingly. If the work is finished early, the employee must report to his/her duty station immediately. This applies even if the work finishes early on the same day.

The worst part is the employee has played truant. He left for home without informing his manager. Therefore, he is liable for disciplinary action.

While initiating disciplinary action against the delinquent employee, you may handle the immediate problem at hand. Nevertheless, a situation of this kind arose because of a process flaw as well. In this age of mobile and internet, why did your manager not instruct the employee to share the location on Google Maps? Through these modern means, you will be able to keep track of employees working in the field.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

"In this age of mobile and internet, why did your manager not tell the employee to share the location on Google Maps? Through these modern means, you will be able to keep track of the employees working in the field."

Good point. Managers should leverage modern technology to be fully aware of the progress from the field. Shortcuts and unofficial absences need to be curbed by strict action if gentle reminders do not help.

The situation demands clarity in service terms, appropriate reporting procedures, clarity on company policies, and, more importantly, training, especially towards employee morale leverage and dedication. We know today's corporate world is full of stress and pressures to fulfill targets. Work-life balance is disturbed. The best approach is to have employees who are willing to work and not run off from the field. Managers are the people who create a better work environment, and employees should be nurtured and trained to deliver performances willingly.

Bijay_majumdar,

What you have written is good practice. However, here it is clear, cunning, and deceptive behavior to finish the job in one day and show it for two days. The person requires a warning for the first "mistake" of this nature. There is no question of talking about management theory when faced with such jugaadu tricks.

Agree with Mr. Nathrao. The employee should have returned to the office and reported that he had completed 2 days of work in one day. This would have added extra points to his performance review and shown that he is trustworthy to the company.

He has chosen the other way and deserves a warning letter, not because he went back but because he tried to cheat. Sorry.

"He has chosen the other way and deserves a warning letter not because he went back but tried to cheat."

He tried to cheat on TA/DA for at least one day. He has given false information about his whereabouts for that particular day. Moral and integrity values of a person are known from such acts and serve as a warning for bigger and more serious violations.

While agreeing with the suggestions of Dinesh Divekar & Nathrao, I recollect a quote that aptly summarizes what this employee has done: "Everyone takes care of the big things in life, it's how one takes care of the small things that the true nature comes out."

A day's travel & daily allowance may not amount to very much. But if this practice is not nipped in the bud initially, you are creating, for this guy as well as those who witness him getting away, the seeds for a larger problem that the company may find tough to control later.

Incidentally, this practice is quite common among field staff. However, with the use of technology, it surely can be controlled.

Regards,
TS