The employee's writing during non-genuine attendance

Question:
It is observed in some government offices that employees do not write the actual time of their arrival. For example, if an employee arrives at eight o'clock, he writes his arrival as seven-thirty. Is this permissible? And if his manager knows about this, what is the ruling?

Answer:
This is not permissible. A person lies and writes something other than the truth. He arrives at eight-thirty and writes that he arrived at eight. This is lying, and it is not permissible, even if his manager approves of it, because this does not clear his conscience. It is obligatory for the Muslim to be truthful in what he says, in what he writes, and in what he does; truthfulness is required. If he arrives at eight-thirty, he signs for eight-thirty. If he arrives at eight, he signs for eight. As for lying, no, this is not permissible.
If the custom is to be lenient by a minute or two, there is nothing wrong with it. A person may encounter an unexpected situation. If he is excused for being late, even if he is late by an hour, and he has a valid Islamic excuse, there is no blame on him. But if it is a matter of being lax, this is not permissible, not even for two minutes, if it is a matter of laxity. But if it is a matter of a valid Islamic excuse, even if he is late by an hour or two, the valid Islamic excuse has a ruling.