Punitive action for not being in office by 9 am: Office order

The Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has taken a firm stance against irregularities by officers and employees in office attendance. Failure to report to office by 9 am, late arrival, or leaving before scheduled time without permission will result in punishment.

An office order was issued on Monday in this regard by the Law and Justice Division. It stated that absence from work without permission, leaving office and late arrival are considered contrary to office discipline and punishable offences under the 'Government Employees (Regular Attendance) Rules, 2019'.

The order said all officers and employees must be present in their respective offices by 9 am on working days. No one may leave the office before the end of office hours. Leaving office before 3:30 pm during Ramadan and before 5 pm after Ramadan will be prohibited.

If leaving office is necessary for official or urgent reasons, permission must be obtained from the head of the concerned sub-division (Joint Secretary/Solicitor). At the same time, entry in the designated register for leaving office and giving digital attendance have been made mandatory according to the rules.

The directive further stated that if these rules are violated, disciplinary action will be taken against the concerned officer or employee under the 'Government Employees (Regular Attendance) Rules' and the 'Government Employees (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018'. This instruction has been issued to uphold office discipline and make administrative activities more dynamic among officers and employees of the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.