I am in agreement. This policy sounds like a bean counter wanting to make certain the staff works correct hours. The who checks the flight schedules and matches to tickets and time clock??

I am an independant consultant. IF I need (see the word NEED) to take a red-eye back and then perhaps come right into the office and work (bill) a few hours that should be MY decision. Not some bean counter.

If I have the luxury of flying in, going home for some sleep and then showing up for 2-4 hours in the next afternoon as my project does not require my work .. then fine.

The OTHER side of the coin also exists and the bloody bean counters should look at that!

Flight departs WEST coast at 9pm to 11pm .. employee is expected to work (bill) at office until 6pm.. and check out of the hotel that morning.

Flight departs WEST coast from 11pm onwards, employee must work (bill) at local office until 8pm and check out of the hotel that morning.

Flight departs WEST coast from 5:30am to 8am, employee expected to work (bill) at local office until 9pm the prior night. Yes they my have a hotel room but logically will need to pack and arrive at airport for subsequent flight.

Flight departs EAST coast 11am to 3 pm employee must work (bill) in corporate office at least one hour of departure day. They cannot just directly go to the airport. Flights from 1-3pm employee is expected to work up to three hours before flight time.

Flight departs EAST coast at 3pm to 5pm employee must work (bill) in corporate office until at least noon. Employee cannot work from home that day and travel subsequently.

Flight departs EAST coast after 5pm employee must work (bill) a full eight hour day in the corporate office. If this requires early arrival, fine .. they must work up to three hours before flight time.

What about Europe flights? Take overnight and report immediately to office upon landing?? Take daylight flight and allow them to rest that evening??

I did a project (18 months) where every Sunday I left home at 4:30am and arrive at the client city at 10:30pm (+2 time zones) and was at the hotel unpacking about midnight (assuming flights on time). 18 hour commute and yes sometimes I worked (billed) but mostly slept! EVERY Friday I left the hotel at 5:30am and arrived home about 8pm.

My client expected me to show up to work Monday-Thurs at 8am and work 12 hour days.

I did WHAT I needed to get the project accomplished. I did NOT follow some bean counters travel rules. The only time I ever was late on a morning was when the flight was delayed 5 hours and I arrived at the hotel at 4am. I did sleep in until 11am that one morning but had e-mailed my entire team my schedule.

You hire professional results oriented staff. You expect them to get the project completed. You do not micromanage their travel times to this level. If you find someone who constantly abuses these 'flexible rules' then you deal with them! NOT the entire group.

I for one would not consider working for a company with such rigid travel policies as what is being proposed.