Is It Fair to Be Penalized for Not Reporting Sunday Plans in Pharma Sales? Seeking Legal Advice

Hi, I am a sales representative in an MNC pharma company. As per company policy, on holidays or Sundays, if you are leaving your headquarters, you need to inform your immediate manager. Upon joining, I unknowingly signed a document stating that on holidays or Sundays, if I am leaving my working headquarters, I need to inform my manager.

Recently, I had an argument with my manager regarding Sundays being a weekly off or a holiday and therefore not being responsible for informing him on Sundays. He is now taking action against me for not informing him when I am leaving my headquarters, despite not informing me. I was under the assumption that Sundays are considered a weekly off or a holiday, and he cannot require me to work on a Sunday. This led to a heated conversation between us.

Now, he is threatening to take action against me as per the compliance policy, which may result in me having to leave the company. I am seeking advice on whether there is a rule or law defining Sunday as a weekly off or a holiday, and whether there is any law stating that employees cannot be asked to work on Sundays.

Please advise on what to do in this critical situation.

Dear friend, If you are leaving for official duty on Sunday or on a closed holiday, then you are required to inform your manager. This is what your company's policy is. However, you did not inform. Was it that difficult for you to keep the manager posted? What was the cost of not passing on this information?

The Importance of Keeping Your Manager Informed

In many companies, "keep your manager posted" is a motto. Information, whether good or bad, must be passed on to the managers by juniors. This is what is taught to the juniors. Now, instead of following company rules, why did you enter into an argument with your manager? It is not advisable to have an ego clash with managers and other seniors over these minor issues. Even with just one incident, he could perceive you as a person who is impervious to reason, and when you are in dire need, he may not show accommodativeness.

Advice on Resolving the Situation

I recommend you tender your apology verbally. If the manager asks you to tender it in a written letter, then do so. But make sure that in the future, you do not lock horns with your manager on these small matters. Consider your manager as your guide, coach, mentor, and above all, a senior or elder person. Not only should you respect his authority, but sometimes you have to put up with his idiosyncrasies as well.

Possibly your performance level might be higher, but it is advisable not to keep one's ego directly proportional to performance!

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar