Odisha Finance Department Tightens Attendance Rules: Strict Leave Deductions for Late Arrivals

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to improve punctuality and discipline among its employees, the Odisha Finance Department has introduced stringent attendance norms, effective August 1. The new office order outlines a series of punitive measures for those failing to adhere to the revised timings.

Employees are now mandated to clock in by 10 am and clock out at 6 pm daily, with a minimum of 7.5 hours of compulsory office presence. Any deviation from this will result in leave deductions. Arriving after 11 am will incur a full day’s leave cut, while those present for less than four hours will forfeit a day’s leave from their total allowance. Even a delay of 10 to 30 minutes beyond 10 am can lead to the forfeiture of a day’s casual leave if it occurs three times in a month.

However, the order does offer some flexibility. Employees may be required to work beyond regular hours in case of urgent matters, and those deployed in the minister’s office are exempted from these rules. Additionally, staff can apply for half-day leave with prior approval, but must work for a minimum of four hours either in the morning or afternoon.