Lateness at work

dowie said:
Being late on the 'early shift' perhaps isn't great as they obviously want someone there early else they wouldn't have created an 'early shift'.

Tis especially bad form if your employer pays you extra when coming in early or if you need to take over from someone else who's perhpas worked a night shift.

However I'd say for 9-5 jobs in general flexibility should be given - what difference does turning in at 9:30 make so long as you stay late to make up the lost time.

Unless I've got a meeting at say 8:30 or 9:00 etc.. then I'll frequently come in at any random time up until about 10:00am. Technically our contract says we're to work from 9 - 5:30 but it would be monumentally silly of any senior manager tried to enforce turning up at 9 as its equally easy for employees to enforce going home at 5:30 and taking their full lunch break. We're expected to get projects finished and that sometimes involves working late - I wouldn't expect to be told I have to come in by 9:00 on the dot any more than my employer expects to be told 'erm we're not going to get the software sent today as its 5:25 and I finish in 5 mins....' - If I'm going to have lunch at my desk and stay an hour or two extra then I'll have my 30 mins extra in bed (or more if hungover on a Friday).
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I cant understand that attitude either really. As an emplyee you have certain mutual agreements but im sure it will say in your contract that you have to apply a reasonable amount of overtime? No doubt you have to stay back so late because most the other employees decide to have an extra hour in bed and their time management system cant be that great?

Jesus, some people really dont apreciate a job these days.. especially in this climate at the moment.. attitudes of well it works both ways he expects this from me then i expect that from them..


a lot of people I dont think realise you should respect that you have a job. kudos your company gives you that flexibility but seriously... how hard is it to be in a routine?

Its far easyer even when you have a set body clock to get up at different times.

I work a 3 week rota of 6-2,2-10,10-6, a week of each so i have to body clock... sometimes i end up fighting will my pillows all night and just drifting off at about 4, to be up at 5.15, straight out the door to drive to work. i always get there 15 minutes early.. that gives me time to put on my overalls, get a cup of tea and be on my job 10 minutes early to find out what is going on from the previous shift and so im prepared with a 10 minute head start. ive never yet been late touch wood.
it has just recently been brought up that we have to be on our jobs 10 minutes before the shift starts which i am anyways, and a lot have argued with your mentallity that why should we when we aint getting paid, but we get to knok off 10 minutes early to wash our hands. it isnt a force issue, you can still come out to your job bang on your timke but dont be expected to leave 10 minutes from your job like others can.

people are kicking up a fuss which is sefish considering we get 40 minutes paid breaks which tehy'll just turn around and argue back they are taking away with the same attitude they have of why should they pay what you aint working.
 
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groen said:
but like everyone, i over sleep and forget to set my alarm sometimes.
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No, just you.

Anyone else have this problem?
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No, just you.

As soon as I *might* be late in to work I ring my boss and explain whether it be car trouble, snowed in, traffic etc etc. Chances are I'm usually in on time any how but I let him know of the possibility.

Surely you must have clocked your boss recording your lateness or giving you verbal warnings for weeks on end and done something about it.

They might let you make up the hours but will probably give you the boot seeing as the problem hasn't resolved itself.
 
I do a little weekend work in retail and for most of the first 3 months I'd clock in around 10-15 minutes early for each shift.

On my review, however, all that was noted by my supervisor was that I'd been late three times... "Your shift started at 9 and you clocked in at... 9.01... 9.01... 9.01..."
 
Skull said:
I do a little weekend work in retail and for most of the first 3 months I'd clock in around 10-15 minutes early for each shift.

On my review, however, all that was noted by my supervisor was that I'd been late three times... "Your shift started at 9 and you clocked in at... 9.01... 9.01... 9.01..."
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what time do you start work though? if you always start early you could argue this. generally were allowed a minute or two due to everyones clock being different. but your meant to be on your job and starting at that time anyways in most workplaces and not just comming through the door.
 
Jonnybmac said:
I cant understand that attitude either really. As an emplyee you have certain mutual agreements but im sure it will say in your contract that you have to apply a reasonable amount of overtime?

No doubt you have to stay back so late because most the other employees decide to have an extra hour in bed and their time management system cant be that great?
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Strange pre-conceptions you've got but I think you're just a bit old fashioned tbh... Some of my colleagues are in European countries running an hour ahead of us and others are in the US running 5 hours behind. Me turning up at 9:00 on the dot instead of 9:26 will make very little difference to anything - other than traveling in a more cramped tube carriage along with everyone else trying to be in for exactly 9:00. Nothing wrong with our time management system - I enter time for stuff I've worked on and the client gets billed.

Jesus, some people really dont apreciate a job these days.. especially in this climate at the moment.. attitudes of well it works both ways he expects this from me then i expect that from them..


a lot of people I dont think realise you should respect that you have a job. kudos your company gives you that flexibility but seriously... how hard is it to be in a routine?
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I'm not a robot tbh... if I've got a meeting in the morning or a specific reason to be in early I'll be in early. Sometimes I'll be in early because I simply got up early - other times I might have been out meeting friends etc.. got back late etc... Why force yourself to meet a deadline when there is no reason to - if I've got no specific reason to be in by 9:00 then getting in at 9:37 shouldn't make any difference as I'll be working an hour or two after I'm supposed to be finished anyway.

Worrying over unimportant things is a bit silly tbh... and carrying the attitude that you should respect the fact that you've even got a job isn't going to help you much when negotiating over pay.
The ideal would be the total opposite tbh... to get to the situation where your employer respects the fact that you're even working for them and considers you too important to lose. There are a handful of people who seemingly have that sort of status where I work and they do get instant raises if some other firm makes them an offer.
 
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I hate tardiness. Doesn't matter if it's at work or a social thing. If we agree to meet at a certain time, it's just not fair to expect the other person to be waiting on you.
 
groen said:
I always said that i am not paid enough to come in 30 mins early. That would mean that they are getting my time for free and they won't be complaining if i am come in at 7:30am every morning.
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This is brilliant. I was late for a while on my early shift, started at 7am but that was due to the bus that got be their a half hour before starting being late so often (8/10 days and yes i complained to transport department about it with no avail just an apology.) Solution was easy, i started getting the bus a lot earlier got to work early and read my book or made an early start.

Your not 'paid enough' to get their early? With a work ethic like that you never will be.
 
insist on flexitime all companies expecting people to be in at a specific times went out with Queen victoria. Your company is being totally anal about it.

Companies like yours are the reason the trains and tube are jammers in the morning.
 
dowie said:
Being late on the 'early shift' perhaps isn't great as they obviously want someone there early else they wouldn't have created an 'early shift'.

Tis especially bad form if your employer pays you extra when coming in early or if you need to take over from someone else who's perhpas worked a night shift.

However I'd say for 9-5 jobs in general flexibility should be given - what difference does turning in at 9:30 make so long as you stay late to make up the lost time.

Unless I've got a meeting at say 8:30 or 9:00 etc.. then I'll frequently come in at any random time up until about 10:00am. Technically our contract says we're to work from 9 - 5:30 but it would be monumentally silly of any senior manager tried to enforce turning up at 9 as its equally easy for employees to enforce going home at 5:30 and taking their full lunch break. We're expected to get projects finished and that sometimes involves working late - I wouldn't expect to be told I have to come in by 9:00 on the dot any more than my employer expects to be told 'erm we're not going to get the software sent today as its 5:25 and I finish in 5 mins....' - If I'm going to have lunch at my desk and stay an hour or two extra then I'll have my 30 mins extra in bed (or more if hungover on a Friday).
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what he said makes more sense hehe
 
I dont really mind when my guys get in within reason, they are supposed to be in at 04.45 every morning no matter what run they are on. I cant see the point in jumping on people for 5 or ten minutes here or there. Also If the run doesnt need them in i dont see why i should dtag them in to sit around or sat waiting at the delivery point, so i tell them to stay in bed for an extra x amount of time or whatever as well some days.
 
I am late occasionally but it's normally only a few mins, you make me look great xD

I also frequently have to stay late to get something finished or whatever. swings and roundabouts!
 
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groen said:
I work for solicitors and they charge ridiculous amounts per hour and even charge for photocopies, so i thought in order to get respect you have to take your time seriously.

But my lateness is not premeditated, i am not trying to take the ****, i genuinely want to get in on time. crap happens too much i guess...needs to re-evaluate my attitude towards time keeping and also try to leave 15 mins at least. /thread
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I hope if you need to complete a timesheet to record your hours you've done so accurately, because that can create a number of problems.
 
How on earth are your employers still employing you, you were an hour late one day and your mostly late on weekends by a good 20 - 30 miuntes. So it looks like youve been on a late night bender and not got up for the morning before.

Im suprised you lasted that long with no disciplinary.
 
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Lopéz said:
That's a phenomenal amount of lateness! I doubt you will have a leg to stand on.
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This, basically. To miss 15 hours of work because of lateness in a 2-3 month period is ridiculous.


Since November I've been late three times.

On two of those occasions I was late by 5-10 because of unforeseen problems with public transport.

On the third occasion I was late because I hadn't been told I was supposed to work that day. To make matters worse I got stuck in a massive traffic jam. Ended up being an hour and a half late. Being late was unavoidable.
 
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Did it ever occur to you that by being late regularly on the early shift you may cause your company to breach its contract with the company it supplies IT services for? There will be core support hours and if you're 20 mins late regularly (and 60 mins some days it appears) this is a massive exposure for your company.

Your lateness is YOUR fault. You know the transport doesnt run on time, so leave earlier. Blame transport a few days a year maybe but if its happening regularly the simple fact is you're not leaving enough time to get in.
 
I can't ever remember being late for work and I haven't had a sick day off since September 1988.
HOWEVER, both places I have worked at in all that time have only been 4 miles and 3 miles away so I don't have an excuse.
 
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