Home Ministry to introduce flexible working hours

New Delhi, Mar 14 : Union Home Ministry seems to have made up its mind to adapt a concerned approach for its employees' welfare, as it is going to introduce flexi- working hours for its employees.

According to sources, attendance norms will be relaxed, so long as employees put in 40 hours a week.

Under the new norms, officials stuck in peak hour traffic jams will be excused if they are late by 30 minutes.

Occasionally, they can also cite social obligations or medical consultation and report to office late by two hours or leave two hours early. But they will have to make up for the lost time, preferably on the same day and in any case, in the same week.

According to Home Secretary, G K Pillai, the duration of late coming and early departure is to be compensated by devoting such extra hours of work so as to ensure the 40-hour work schedule for the entire week is maintained.

The new instructions were issued on representations from the ministry last week.

The ministry is believed to have given a concerned view to the practical problems faced by staff members due to the biometric attendance system installed in September 2009.