The Punjab Government has issued strict directions to departments against employees who remain absent from duty despite marking their attendance in their respective offices.
The Personnel Department has warned that such employees could face salary cuts under the “No Work, No Pay” principle along with disciplinary action.
Because of employees leaving their workplaces during duty hours, the move comes as the government focuses on maintaining discipline and ensuring that public services are not affected. In an order issued by the Government of Punjab’s Department of Personnel, Personnel Policies-II Branch, dated September 8, 2026, all Special Chief Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries, Financial Commissioners, Principal Secretaries and Administrative Secretaries have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the instructions.
The Personnel Department has reiterated that existing government instructions regarding misconduct and unauthorised absence would be strictly enforced. Employees found absent from duty after marking their attendance would be treated as being on unauthorised absence.
The government said it had received information from various quarters that several employees were marking their attendance at their respective offices and subsequently leaving their workplaces. Such unauthorised absence, particularly during working hours, was causing inconvenience to the general public, according to the order. The government has specifically stated that such employees would not be entitled to salary for the period of unauthorised absence, in accordance with the established principle of “No Work, No Pay.”
The latest directions are aimed at ensuring accountability and improving the functioning of government offices, particularly during official working hours. The government has stressed that employees are expected to remain available at their designated workplaces and perform their duties in accordance with service rules.
