Bangalore startup ditches attendance rules, fixed hours in workplace overhaul

FRND, a Bangalore-based startup, has dismantled conventional workplace requirements by abolishing fixed working hours and mandatory leave policies, signaling a potential shift in how Indian companies approach work culture.

The company has removed restrictions on attendance and eliminated the need for employees to formally request time off or monitor leave balances. Instead of adhering to rigid schedules, staff members have the flexibility to manage their own work arrangements based on task completion and project deadlines.

The initiative reflects growing recognition among emerging tech companies of changing workforce expectations, particularly regarding work-life balance and autonomy. Rather than monitoring clock-in times, the organization focuses on output and results, allowing employees greater control over their schedules.

The model represents a departure from India's traditional corporate framework, where hierarchical structures and attendance monitoring have long been standard practice. As Indian startups increasingly compete for talent in a competitive market, alternative workplace structures are gaining traction as potential differentiators.

The experiment at FRND adds to ongoing conversations in India's tech sector about reimagining work arrangements in the post-pandemic era, though such flexible models remain uncommon across larger Indian corporations and traditional industries.