Five minute Leeway

This rule allows for a five minute, or eight unit, deviation from an employees scheduled eight hours throughout the course of the work day. Many employees are making the mistake of thinking this five minutes leeway is theirs to use as they please. This is not the case.  The reason for the five minutes leeway is to complete all four of your clock rings within the course of your eight hour tour. You have to hit a “begin tour,” an “out-to-lunch,” an “in-from-lunch,” and an “end tour.” The sole purpose of the five minute leeway is to guarantee you eight hours pay, even if you hit the clock a few units late because of congestion at the clock.The five minute leeway rule applies only to full-time and part-time regular employees. For clocking purposes part-time flexible, casual and temporary employees are also allowed the five minutes leeway, but are paid on the basis of their actual clock rings.It is an inappropriate use of the five minute leeway for employees to hit the clock eight units early so they can end their tour eight units early. If you do this then it’s very important for you to make sure your other three clock rings are precise, and on the exact unit. If you fail to make the correct rings at the exact time you will generate what management calls a “disallowance.” Remember, you get a total of five minutes leeway for the entire day.When you have disallowances your supervisor has to go into the system and correct your clock rings. There are some supervisors who improperly issue unscheduled absences and discipline to employees for these type of disallowances. If you have received an unscheduled absence or discipline for disallowances you must contact the union steward in your section and file a grievance immediately. The purpose of the five minute leeway is to ensure that all employees get the opportunity to make their four clock rings in a timely manner, regardless of how long the line at the clock may be.