Should Managers be spared of Fixed working hours norms?

I was curious to know the current policies followed in various industries regarding the fixed working hours norms applicable to the Managers & Sr. Managers in the Organization. I would like to know a Senior HR Person's opinion on the matter as well as the policy that they follow.

As far as my knowledge goes, there is no set policy regarding working hours for Managers & Senior Managers. However, presently, to ease the work pressure and as one way of empowering the concept of 'time management,' the principle of 'fixed working hours' is being introduced. Managers are expected to manage their business within their working hours and have the social need to take care of their family.

Some of our Indian Managers are very good at sitting in the office until midnight, resulting in their subordinates suffering greatly. Personally, I feel that any Manager who stays late in the office is someone who is not effectively managing time and is unable to communicate a firm "no" to subordinates or clients.

Dear colleague,

Though all employed persons, irrespective of any position/role, are expected to work for a minimum of 8 hours, managers are not expected to be time watchers. They are responsible for results and not the time they put in.

Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR Consultant

I will elaborate further on my question: Should the Senior Managers in a company be allowed a concession in the morning reporting time in the office, especially the Sales Managers? What is the norm across industries?

Dear colleague,

The blanket time concession is not given but is based on the situation in each individual case, with merits considered sometimes. Senior Managers have to, and generally, they do adhere to company policy in this regard. However, it should not be forgotten that they are responsible for the end results.

Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR Consultant

This varies from individual to individual and from organization to organization. I had set a norm that by the first siren of the factory (6.45 am and the shift starts at 7.00 am) to be inside the factory premises. Unless the boss sets an example, he has no right to expect compliance from others. There has been earlier discussion on this topic, of sales and marketing people being exceptions to the general rule. There could be many reasons. Indeed, most middle-level and senior executives work very late into the evenings, which is the justification claimed for coming late. In Marketing/Sales, the most often heard alibi is that there won't be customers available early in the morning but they would be at work near the close of the shift hours. There are too many well-known business heads who have made a personal habit of arriving before time (like JRD Tata, E. Sridharan, V. Krishnamurthy, Amul Kurien, etc.). These days, there are flexitime, work from home, etc. Rigidity regarding timeliness and punctuality has to be strictly viewed from the organizational perspective. But let us not forget the age-old adage that timeliness is next to godliness.

There is nothing special under the law that increases or decreases working hours as per the grades/scales. There is parity on working hours, i.e., 8 hours for all categories of employees.

There are establishments that have adopted specific rules pertaining to hours of work to suit their requirements. In many establishments, managers are required to come in when needed outside their regular duty hours.

You and an employee of your cadre can discuss the issue with your top management to establish a policy or some exemptions that you want regarding working hours.

Working hours are mentioned by almost all companies. In a company, all employees, starting from the base level to all senior levels, need to work beyond working hours so that no pending work is there. Even on holidays, they need to work.

Though in principle, the manager is responsible for overall productivity as suggested by seniors, and he can have relaxation in working hours, but he can lead the employees properly if he follows timings as stipulated.

Few deviations are always acceptable in consideration of his position/responsibilities, and he is supposed to be present in case of any exigency even on holidays without any monetary benefits.