Time management is very important in every job. If you’re supposed to come to work at 9am, then please be punctual especially if your job involves customer facing or if there’s an appointment at that time. If your job has time flexibility, then it is still OK to be late for 10-30 minutes, but anytime more than 1 hour.

This is important and it is also something which most people don’t follow. If you can’t follow something as simple as office hour, what makes you think you can do something more complicated like completing a project on time? It just shows me how irresponsible you are since you cannot even commit something so simple. If you really want to work outside of your ordinary office hour, then ask for permission from your bosses. If the answer is NO, then please follow the office hour as written in your employment letter. I need to know whether you are serious about your job.

However, if you are late for a little bit and do it once in a blue moon, it is still okay because there are many things we cannot control such as traffic jam. Just don’t overdo it… or in other words, don’t abuse the limited edition “freedom” which I gave you.

If you think the company is being too strict with punctuality, then feel free to go elsewhere and find a job which allows you to be late for more than 1 hour every day. I can always find another person who is more responsible to replace you. Remember, we’re having recession and many people are still looking for job out there – people who know the simple logic of “office hour”. After all, “office hour” does exist in your employment letter for a reason.

p/s …. if your job allows you to come to office anytime and go home anytime, then good for you. Otherwise, it is better for you to try your best and follow the office hour. You wouldn’t want your bosses to find excuse to terminate you.