My Employee is Late for Work Again
Late for Work: Late, tardy, delayed, behind schedule, … however you describe being late it presents a number of challenges for managers and organizations.
In many professional workplaces start times vary and employees are offered flexibility in their schedules. In customer focused positions, typically staff are expected to be in the office during “core” hours, such as between 9 and 4, but may vary their start and end times to suit their personal schedule. In this model staff usually choose a start time and stick to this schedule so clients, colleagues, and the manager know when to expect them. Any change to the regular schedule would require either approval or at minimum notification. This system works very well until someone takes advantage of the flexibility and starts coming in late, leaving early, coming back late from lunch, or taking extra long breaks.
The impact of this behavior may show up as:
- decreased productivity,
- missed sales opportunities,
- inferior customer service, and/or
- poor morale.
Managers are often not so much focused on “time” but on output, productivity, sales and customers served. As long as the work gets done and standards are exceeded managers tend to be happy and will let some “tardiness” go unchallenged.
Co-workers are not so forgiving. They are often the first to take note of someone showing up late. This can lead to resentment and poor office morale very quickly. There may be a perception that an employee is not pulling their weight or is being given special treatment.
Managers are encouraged to have regular meetings with their employees where they can discuss performance, including attendance issues, and offer a forum for employees to raise issues. A well written employee handbook, code of conduct and/or policy on hours of work is an important manager tool.
A flexible workplace is important to workers, but it is equally important for managers to address attendance issues in a prompt and fair manner.
Looking for tips to help manage employees? Download our free Manager Guides from the Fusion Industry Resources Page.
