Free policy template · Word

Working Hours Policy

A working hours policy defines the daily and weekly hours employees are expected to work, rest breaks, weekly off, overtime approval and flexible arrangements. It helps the employer stay within applicable limits on hours and spread-over while giving employees clarity on their schedule.

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[Company Logo][Company Name]

WORKING HOURS POLICY

Company:: [Company Name]
Effective Date:: [Date]
Applies to:: All employees at [Work Location]

1. Purpose

To set clear, lawful working hours that support productivity, employee health and work-life balance.

2. Scope

This policy covers all employees. Shift-based employees also follow the Shift Timing Policy.

3. Standard Hours

Office staff: [HH:MM] to [HH:MM], [Monday to Friday/Saturday], i.e. [No.] hours per day including a [No.]-minute meal break.
Normal weekly hours will not exceed [No.] hours, within the limits of applicable law.
Plant/store staff: as per shift roster.

4. Breaks and Rest

A meal break of [No.] minutes is given after not more than [No.] hours of continuous work.
Short tea breaks of [No.] minutes may be taken as per team arrangement.
The daily spread-over (from start to end, including breaks) will be kept within legal limits.

5. Weekly Off and Holidays

Each employee gets at least one weekly off, normally [Sunday]. If required to work on a weekly off, a substitute off or compensation will be given as per policy and law.

6. Flexi-time

Where approved by the department head, employees may start between [HH:MM] and [HH:MM], provided they are present during core hours [HH:MM]–[HH:MM] and complete the daily hours.

7. Overtime

Work beyond normal hours must be approved in advance by the reporting manager using the Overtime Request Form. Eligible overtime is paid as per applicable law and company policy. Managers should plan work to keep overtime to a minimum.

8. Night Work

Employees, including women, may be scheduled for night work only with consent where required and with safety measures such as transport and secure premises, as per applicable law.

9. Recording Hours

Hours are recorded through the attendance system. Employees must not work off the record; any extra time must be logged.

10. Responsibilities and Non-compliance

Managers must not require work beyond permitted limits. Repeated breach of timings by employees will be handled under the Attendance Policy.

11. Review

HR will review this policy annually or on change of law.

Approved by
[Authorised Signatory]
Date: [Date]

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What this template includes

Standard daily and weekly hours – the baseline expectation
Rest intervals and spread-over – employee wellbeing and compliance
Weekly off – at least one rest day
Overtime pre-approval – no unapproved extra hours
Flexi-time and core hours – where business allows
Women and night work provisions – safety and consent
Recording of hours – links with attendance system

When to use it

Drafting a policy handbook for a growing company
Moving from a six-day to a five-day week
Introducing flexi-time or core hours
Reviewing hours against the Labour Codes and state rules

How to customise this template

1Enter your actual daily hours and weekly working days
2Check daily and weekly limits under applicable law for your state
3Add separate schedules for factory, office and field roles
4Define core hours if you offer flexi-time

HR tips

Do not set hours that exceed legal limits even with consent
Make overtime the exception and always pre-approve it
Consider commute and safety for late-evening work
Keep hours and attendance systems aligned

This template is a starting point. Review it against applicable labour laws, state Shops & Establishments or Factories rules, your standing orders and the hours, rest and overtime rules applicable to your establishment, and consult a legal adviser where needed.

For HR & hiring managers

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Frequently asked questions

What are standard working hours in India?+

Limits on daily and weekly hours, rest intervals and spread-over are set by the applicable labour laws, Labour Codes and state rules. Check the rules for your type of establishment and state before fixing hours.

Is overtime mandatory to pay?+

Where work beyond normal hours is covered by law, overtime must be paid as per the applicable law and company policy. Pre-approval keeps it controlled.

Can we offer flexible working hours?+

Yes, provided total hours and rest rules are respected and core hours are clear for collaboration.

All 50 attendance & time management →

[Company Logo][Company Name]
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Company:
[Company Name]
Policy No.:
[Reference Number]
Effective Date:
[Date]
Version:
[1.0]
Owner:
Human Resources
1. Purpose
This policy sets out how attendance is recorded at [Company Name], what is expected of employees regarding punctuality and absence, and how attendance issues will be handled fairly and consistently.
2. Scope
It applies to all employees on the company's rolls at all locations, including probationers and fixed-term employees. Contract workers follow this policy as applied by their contractor and site rules.
3. Definitions
Policy · Word
Attendance Policy
Download .docx
Policy · Word
Office Timing Policy
Download .docx
Policy · Word
Shift Timing Policy
Download .docx

[Company Logo][Company Name]

WORK HOURS TIMESHEET

Employee Name:: [Employee Name]
Employee ID:: [Employee ID]
Employment Type:: [Full-time / Part-time / Hourly / Consultant]
Week Ending:: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Regular Hours per Day:: [No.]

Date	Day	Start Time	End Time	Unpaid Break	Net Hours	Regular Hours	Extra Hours	Notes
[DD/MM/YYYY]	[Day]	[HH:MM]	[HH:MM]	[Mins]	[Hours]	[Hours]	[Hours]	[Notes]
[DD/MM/YYYY]	[Day]	[HH:MM]	[HH:MM]	[Mins]	[Hours]	[Hours]	[Hours]	[Notes]
[DD/MM/YYYY]	[Day]	[HH:MM]	[HH:MM]	[Mins]	[Hours]	[Hours]	[Hours]	[Notes]
[DD/MM/YYYY]	[Day]	[HH:MM]	[HH:MM]	[Mins]	[Hours]	[Hours]	[Hours]	[Notes]
[DD/MM/YYYY]	[Day]	[HH:MM]	[HH:MM]	[Mins]	[Hours]	[Hours]	[Hours]	[Notes]

Weekly Totals

Total Net Hours	Regular Hours	Extra Hours (approved)	Hourly Rate (₹, if applicable)	Amount (₹, if applicable)
[Hours]	[Hours]	[Hours]	[Amount]	[Amount]

Extra hours are counted only where pre-approved; overtime, where applicable, is paid as per applicable law and company policy.

I certify that the hours above are accurate.

Template · Word

Work Hours Timesheet

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[Company Logo][Company Name]
HR POLICY MANUAL
Company:
[Company Name]
Document No.:
[Reference Number]
Version:
[Version Number]
Effective Date:
[Date]
Policy Owner:
[HR Name], Human Resources
Approved By:
[Authorised Signatory]
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Purpose: This manual sets out the human resource policies, procedures and practices of [Company Name] so that employees are treated fairly and consistently and the company complies with applicable labour laws.
1.2 Scope: It applies to all employees on the company's rolls at all offices, plants and sites, including [Work Location]. Consultants, trainees and contract workers are covered where expressly stated.
1.3 Precedence: Where this manual conflicts with any law, certified standing order or individual appointment letter, the law and then the more favourable term for the employee will apply.
Chapter 2: Definitions
- Company: [Company Name] and its branches.
- Employee: any person employed on the company's rolls on a permanent, probationary or fixed-term basis.
- Reporting Manager: the person to whom an employee reports as per the organisation chart.
- HR: the Human Resources department or the person designated to perform the HR function.
- Wages / Basic Salary: as defined in the employee's appointment letter and applicable law.
Chapter 3: Employment
Policy · Word
HR Policy Manual
Download .docx
[Company Logo][Company Name]
LEAVE POLICY
Company:
[Company Name]
Policy No.:
[Reference Number]
Effective Date:
[Date]
Version:
[Version]
1. Purpose
This policy sets out the types of leave available to employees of [Company Name], how leave is earned, applied for and approved, and how unused leave is treated, so that employees can rest and attend to personal needs while business continuity is maintained.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all employees on the rolls of the company at all locations, including probationers, unless their appointment letter states otherwise. Where state laws, standing orders or settlements provide more favourable terms, those terms will prevail.
3. Definitions
Policy · Word
Leave Policy
Download .docx
[Company Logo][Company Name]
OVERTIME POLICY
Policy No.:
[Reference Number]
Version:
[Version Number]
Effective Date:
[Date]
Policy Owner:
Human Resources
1. Purpose
This policy sets the rules for approving, recording and paying overtime (OT) at [Company Name] so that extra work is planned, fairly compensated and kept within legal and safe limits.
2. Scope
It applies to all employees and workers at [Work Location] whose role and wage level make them eligible for overtime under applicable law. Employees in managerial, supervisory or administrative grades [Grade List] are not paid OT but may receive compensatory off as set out in clause 4.6.
3. Definitions
Policy · Word
Overtime Policy
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[Company Logo][Company Name]
WORK-FROM-HOME POLICY
Policy No.:
[Reference Number]
Version:
[Version Number]
Effective Date:
[Date]
Policy Owner:
Human Resources
1. Purpose
[Company Name] is an office-first organisation. This policy allows employees to work from their residence on an occasional basis while ensuring business continuity, availability and protection of company information.
2. Scope
It applies to confirmed employees at [Work Location] whose work can be done remotely. Roles requiring physical presence, such as reception, facilities, plant and field service, are excluded. This policy does not cover permanent remote or hybrid arrangements, which are governed by separate policies.
3. Definitions
Policy · Word
Work-from-Home Policy
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