Rs 200 fine for beard, Rs 2,000 for absence: Lucknow hospital's rules spark backlash
The order mandates penalties amounting to Rs 200 for male staff keeping beards or long hair and for women not tying their hair or wearing hairnets, along with fines for uniform violations and misconduct.
A directive imposing fines on outsourced employees for appearance and workplace conduct at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow has triggered widespread anger among staff, with workers calling the rules arbitrary and discriminatory.
According to the order issued by an outsourcing agency, male employees will be fined Rs 200 for keeping a beard or long hair while on duty. Female employees, meanwhile, will face a similar penalty if they fail to tie their hair in a bun or wear a hairnet.
The institute has around 4,000 outsourced workers, all of whom fall under the scope of the directive.
FINES FOR DRESS CODE, CONDUCT VIOLATIONS
The order lays down a detailed penalty structure for various violations. Employees who fail to wear identity cards or nameplates during duty hours will be fined Rs 100, while those not in uniform will be charged Rs 200 per day.
Stricter penalties have been prescribed for misconduct. A fine of Rs 500 will be imposed for sleeping, smoking, or consuming alcohol during duty hours. In serious cases, the order also provides for termination and the filing of an FIR.
Additionally, leaving the workplace without prior information or remaining absent can attract fines of up to Rs 500. Unauthorised absence without prior notice may lead to a penalty of Rs 2,000.
MOBILE USAGE RESTRICTIONS, STRICT ACTION WARNED
The directive also mandates that computer operators posted at counters must deposit their mobile phones during duty hours. Authorities have warned of strict disciplinary action against those who fail to comply with the rules.
EMPLOYEES CALL ORDER ‘ARBITRARY’, SEEK ROLLBACK
The move has drawn sharp criticism from employees, who argue that similar restrictions are not enforced on outsourced staff at other major institutions such as King George's Medical University (KGMU) and Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPIMS).
Workers have demanded that the order be withdrawn, alleging that the rules unfairly target outsourced employees and impose excessive penalties.