Gate Pass Dilemma: Should Early Arrivals Be Allowed to Leave Before Official Hours?

Hello Colleagues,

I work in a manufacturing company. Recently, we have had issues regarding when to issue gate passes. Some staff members who arrive very early are not allowed to leave the premises once they are in, even when it is not yet past the official resumption time.

Do we need to issue gate passes to staff who wish to exit before the official resumption time, even when they are not taking anything out?

Thank you.

Understanding the Importance of Gate Passes

Gate Pass is the document needed when a person has resumed their duties and is going out for a brief period before returning. This is done to verify the whereabouts of employees at any particular time so that in case of any untoward incident, we have the relevant information.

If someone enters the factory very early, they must punch their attendance. Similarly, if they leave for any reason, even before their assigned shift begins, they need to obtain a gate pass. Otherwise, they could be considered as working, potentially claiming overtime. Moreover, in the event of any issues, it would be challenging to prove their absence from the premises, as there is no evidence other than the CCTV cameras that may have monitored them.

Therefore, apart from the scheduled shift exit from the gate, a gate pass is necessary for all other exits.