What does your contract say about the time you have to work, when you have to start and when it ends?

@LutzHorn 9-5.30 with a 1 hour break. I usually leave from around 5:40 onwards. I usually take the full hour lunch, sometimes 5-10 minutes less. My workload is not that heavy but I've stayed late (unpaid) at times when it's been busy.

If that's what your contract says I can see no reason why your boss should or could order you to be in earlier than 09:00 AM.

In my country it's quite common to come in 10-15 minutes early, and is often expected as well. While you officially should start at 9, people will still expect you to come in earlier. Doesn't mean you can leave earlier than 5, though. If the problem in your case is merely the sign-in clock, then I would suggest to come in at 8:55. Only 2-4 minutes earlier than regularly for you, but your boss can't complain because then the clock would be off too much :')

It seems utterly ridiculous to call on you 9.01 starts but if that's the mentality you're dealing with just show up 10 minutes earlier.

@EdwinLambregts That's the thing, a lot of people do come in early and I feel it's becoming expected but I don't like it. I don't know if I should stick to my guns or if I should accept it's the "way things are done". But I mean, what happens if it slips more? I start getting in at 8:45 and within a few months my boss expects me in at 8:30?

@TheMathemagician I totally agree. 1m late twice a month in 10 months is really tiny. 5 mins late every day? Fair enough. But 1m seems extreme.

Would you be allowed to clock out at 1715 if you clocked in at 0845?

Is your "boss" the head of the company or just the manager of your team?

@paul just my manager

@AakashM no I don't think that would be acceptable.

Something else is going on besides the 1 minute late problem. Show up 10-15 minutes early, and try to deal with the vastly more important but less tangible problem that makes your boss get on your case about being 1 minute late.

@Katy: in which case bear in mind that this employer already gets 10-15 minutes of unpaid work a day out of you, and is now formally attempting to get another 15 minutes a day. I'm not saying to make a legal case out of it, just be aware what they're doing here, and that each time they change the conditions of your employment you need to re-assess whether it's still a good job for you.

Start polishing your resume: as others have wisely pointed out, there's something going on, and it most certainly is something bad for you. Plus, if there isn't anything going on, unlikely as it may be, then it means your manager is insane so you should move anyway.

" I always leave the office aroud 5:40-45 despite my end time being 5:30." - when do you clock out?

Also, you should document the error in the time clock's time setting. If you've been formally reprimanded for being one minute late, it's absolutely inappropriate for them to be letting a two minute error slide.

I just couldn't keep working anywhere that 1 minute is a problem worth mentioning. I'd already be interviewing.

Use those extra ten minutes for saying good morning, hanging up your coat, putting on your indoor shoes, tidying your desk, getting the first cup of tea going, watering the plants, checking the weather...

The best thing about coming in a bit earlier is getting a better parking spot.

It may seems bad but in my old company they required me to pay 5$(equivalent to 20$ in US I believe) if I late by second, in their defense they're gonna use it for party/eat together which still ridiculously stupid. Later we just came earlier and eating in workplace, and chatting usually last 15 minute more than late 1 seconds. Regardless just follow their rule they paid you after all, just find some hole so angry feeling can be replaced with happiness :P