Corporate Work Culture In Assam: Punctuality Over Everything Else

One of the biggest questions I often ask myself is whether there is a corporate-style work culture in Assam in the truest sense, or whether what we see in offices, in the name of a corporate work culture, is just a vague example of the actual concept?

In Assam, many offices like to describe themselves as “corporate” in how they function, and the word is used so often that it has almost become a standard claim, something expected to be believed without question. It sounds modern, it sounds organised, and it gives the impression that everything inside that office must be running in a proper and disciplined manner. But when one spends enough time observing how things actually work, a different picture slowly comes into view, and it is not always as impressive as the word suggests.

For many of these offices, professionalism seems to rest on a single pillar: employee punctuality.

The entire system appears to be built around this idea. Employees must arrive at the office on time, and even a delay of a few minutes can become a topic of discussion.

Registers are checked, timings are noted, and in some cases, repeated reminders or warnings are issued. The message is clear: time matters, and employees should respect it. At the same time, staying beyond office hours is often silently encouraged, and sometimes even appreciated, as if stretching one’s personal time is a sign of commitment to the organisation.

Punctuality is important, no doubt, and any workplace needs it to function properly, but it cannot be the only basic foundation of professionalism. When punctuality becomes the only thing taken seriously, and everything else is pushed aside or ignored, the idea of professionalism becomes incomplete and one-sided.

But this strictness, this seriousness about time, does not seem to extend in the other direction with the same force.

When it comes to salaries, which are not just payments but the very basis on which employees run their lives, delays are not uncommon.

People plan their expenses; they have families to take care of, loans, school fees, medical needs, and daily household costs that depend on a fixed income. Yet, when salaries are delayed, the urgency somehow disappears.

There are explanations, sometimes excuses, and sometimes just silence. It seems inconsistent to treat punctuality as a non-negotiable rule for employees, while equally important salary payments are handled with a much more relaxed attitude.

The condition of basic facilities in many offices adds another layer to this story.

Washrooms, which everyone uses throughout the day, are not always kept clean and usable. This is not a small matter, because it affects comfort, health and basic dignity, yet it often does not receive the attention it deserves.

Similarly, canteens, where employees eat their meals, are not always kept as hygienic as they should be. Food is an everyday need, not an occasional luxury, and the place where it is served should reflect its importance, but in many offices, it is treated as secondary.

Parking areas are another example of how basic needs are overlooked. In several offices, parking spaces are exposed to dust, mud during rain, and general neglect, creating daily inconvenience for employees who bring their vehicles.

It may seem like a small issue at first glance, but when it happens every single day, it becomes part of a larger pattern where employee comfort is not really a priority.

Then there is the issue of cleanliness within the office compound itself. We often see walls and corners stained with gutkha and paan, which suggests a lack of discipline and respect for the workplace. This is not something that happens secretly or only once in a while; it is visible, repeated, and known. Yet, there is rarely strict action or enforcement to stop it. It simply becomes part of the surroundings, something people learn to ignore over time.

What is clearly needed is a strict and uniform rule that no employee, whoever they may be and whatever position they hold, may carry or consume gutkha, pan masala, or any form of tobacco on the office premises.

This isn’t a guideline that some follow, and others ignore; it’s a basic rule of workplace discipline that applies to everyone.

Unless offices take this seriously and enforce it, the problem will continue, and the idea of a clean, respectful workplace will remain only on paper.

All of this creates a situation where the idea of corporate culture becomes one-sided. Employees are expected to follow rules, be punctual, show dedication, and maintain discipline, while management does not always demonstrate the same level of responsibility in equally important areas.

The balance is missing, and when it is, the word “professionalism” starts to lose its meaning.

It is not that punctuality is wrong or unnecessary. It is important, and any workplace needs a sense of order. But when one aspect is given so much importance, and everything else is pushed aside, it raises questions about what is really being valued.

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