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Free policy template · Word

Office Timing Policy

An office timing policy tells employees exactly when the office opens and closes, when they must report, the lunch window and how early leaving is handled. It is a short, practical policy for desk-based teams, usually displayed at reception and shared at induction.

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Preview of the policy

[Highlighted] = fill in
[Company Logo][Company Name]

OFFICE TIMING POLICY

Company:
[Company Name]
Office:
[Work Location]
Effective From:
[Date]

1. Purpose

To inform all employees of the daily office schedule so that teams are available to each other and to clients during business hours.

2. Scope

Applies to all office-based employees at [Work Location]. Shift and field staff follow their own schedules.

3. Office Hours

  1. Office premises open at [HH:MM] and close at [HH:MM].
  2. Reporting time: [HH:MM]; grace period: [No.] minutes.
  3. Closing time: [HH:MM], after completing [No.] working hours.
  4. Saturdays: [closed / 1st and 3rd working, HH:MM to HH:MM].

4. Lunch and Breaks

Lunch break is [No.] minutes between [HH:MM] and [HH:MM]. Teams handling client calls should stagger lunch so that the desk is covered. Two tea breaks of [No.] minutes each are allowed.

5. Short Permission and Early Leaving

  1. Employees may take up to [No.] short permissions of up to [No.] hours per month with prior approval from the reporting manager.
  2. Permissions beyond this limit will be treated as half-day leave.
  3. Leaving early without permission will be recorded as an attendance exception.

6. Department-wise Timings

Customer Support: [HH:MM]–[HH:MM]; Accounts: [HH:MM]–[HH:MM]; Sales: as per field schedule with check-in by [HH:MM].

7. Visitor Hours

Visitors and vendors will be received between [HH:MM] and [HH:MM] unless a meeting is pre-scheduled.

8. Late Stay

Employees staying after [HH:MM] must inform the admin team for security. Late stay is not to be routine; work beyond hours needs manager approval.

9. Non-compliance and Review

Repeated non-adherence will be addressed under the Attendance Policy after discussion with the employee. This policy will be reviewed annually.

Issued by
[HR Name]
Human Resources
Approved by
[Authorised Signatory]

What this template includes

  • Office opening and closing time – access and security
  • Reporting time and grace – everyday expectation
  • Fixed lunch window – coverage of desks and phones
  • Early leaving permission – short-leave rules
  • Saturday or alternate-day timings – avoids confusion
  • Customer or visitor hours – front-desk clarity

When to use it

  • Opening a new office or co-working space
  • Changing office hours after relocation
  • Introducing alternate or half-day Saturdays
  • Clarifying lunch and early-leaving rules after complaints

How to customise this template

  1. 1Enter your office open/close times
  2. 2Decide whether lunch is staggered or fixed
  3. 3Set how many short permissions are allowed per month
  4. 4Add festival or Ramzan timing relaxations if you offer them

HR tips

  • Keep office timing separate from overall working-hours limits
  • Communicate changes at least a week in advance
  • Make sure the building access hours match the policy
  • Apply short-leave rules to managers too

This template is a starting point. Review it against applicable labour laws, state Shops & Establishments or Factories rules, your standing orders and your attendance policy, and consult a legal adviser where needed.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between office timing and working hours policy?+

Office timing covers the daily schedule — opening, reporting, lunch and closing. A working hours policy covers limits on hours, rest, weekly off and overtime.

How many short permissions can an employee take?+

It is a company choice; many allow two short permissions of up to two hours a month. State the limit and how extra permissions are treated.

Can office timings differ for departments?+

Yes, for example customer support may start earlier. List the department-wise timings in the policy.