Early Departures at Work: How Should We Address This Disciplinary Issue?

Respected seniors,

We have a problem of workers leaving the workplace early. Please suggest what disciplinary action should be taken against them to prevent this kind of practice in the future.

You can take disciplinary action against them as per HR policy. You can make a decision and inquire about the exact reason. If the reason is unsatisfactory, then issue a warning email or letter (termination can occur after two warnings).

Reason for workers leaving early

What is the reason for workers leaving early? Have you communicated this to them? What is the line supervisor doing if they are leaving early? Do you have an HR manual or guidelines to discuss disciplinary matters? If you are in the manufacturing segment, follow the Model Standing Orders of the state and take disciplinary actions as deemed fit. Beyond this, you can display the department's timing on the notice board and track attendance in the system for better system introduction. Try discussing this with your management.

Termination after warning letters

Dear Anonymous, how can an employee be terminated after receiving two warning letters?

Addressing Early Exit of Workers

Workers leave early from their duties because they are allowed to do so. Do you have security at the exit gate, and if yes, why does the security guard not try to stop them? What about the supervisor of the workers? Is he also a mute spectator?

Please issue a circular regarding the early exit of employees. In this circular, provide instructions to the security guard on what actions he can take if he notices someone leaving early without proper authorization. Despite the issuance of this circular, if any delinquent worker is found, you may deduct their salary under the provisions of the Payment of Wages Act, 1936.

Regards, Dinesh Divekar

When there is a practice of employees leaving early and no action has been taken so far, it is not advisable to immediately resort to disciplinary action. As suggested by D. Divekar Sir, the first step should be to issue a circular clearly stating that this behavior is unacceptable and that any repetition could result in a proportionate wage cut as well as disciplinary action. Although not necessary, it is recommended that the next step should be to issue a warning memo by name to each of the defaulters. Thereafter, you can deduct wages and initiate the disciplinary process as per applicable Standing Orders to deal with persistent offenders.

Issue a warning letter to the contractor if the workers are on contract labour. Otherwise, you can adjust the attendance system to mark half-day absent if any worker leaves duty early three times in a week or so.

Addressing Early Leavers in the Workplace

There cannot be a common solution for all early leavers. There will be those who have taken official permission. There will also be those who are in the habit of leaving early without reason. In the latter case, each individual needs to be interviewed individually to find out the cause. Since the reasons would invariably vary, it is justified to have a different solution for each case.

Preventive Mechanism

1. Signing before leaving. (The register is available only at the appointed time.) Those who do not sign can be warned initially and penalized subsequently.
2. The main gates are locked.
3. No entry/exit allowed one hour before departure time. (Exceptions: Chairman, CEO, medical emergency).
4. Posting additional security one hour before departure time to handle any awkward situations.
5. Adherence to steps 2 and 3 at all levels to be followed at all times.
6. Ensure the availability of supervisory staff invariably every day 1-2 hours before departure time at the place of work.
7. Early leavers to be provided with a token/out pass, yet subject to steps 2 and 3.
8. HR policy clearly clarifies how many permissions are permissible in a month, beyond which penal deductions are applicable. The quantum and scale should be made known to all.
9. A company-wide study should be undertaken to understand patterns of early leavers, if any.
10. Review the impact of these methods after three months.

If early leavers continue, please revert back to me.

Thanks

Addressing Early Departure of Workers

It is not understood why workers leave earlier than their regular timing. Whether they have completed the tasks allotted to them or have no work to do is unclear. How do they exit the workplace, and what control measures are in place? Do you have any rules to regulate absenteeism, late coming, and absconding from the workplace? You can issue warning or caution letters to workers found absconding from the workplace. Wages can be deducted for absconding for the day, and regular late coming and leaving the workplace early are considered misconduct. Keeping the gate closed until the shift is over could be a measure to enforce punctuality. It is necessary to examine cases of early exit and discuss them across the section before initiating any action.

Regards,

To simplify, call the employee and ask whether they took any approval in person. Inquire about the reason for leaving the office early. If no proper reason is provided, issue a warning letter. That's it.