How to deal with employee lateness?
Discussion
I am a relatively new manager to a small team of 3.
I have two new employees. One of which is often late in. Usually between 5-10 mins.
Walks in and doesn't say a word about it and seems to think that's normal. So I prompt and ask 'traffic bad today?'.
The response is usually 'a little bit', and nothing more is said.
I am arranging a 121 to discuss this and other performance related stuff (good & bad) tomorrow.
All I need to achieve is an employee who has respect for time keeping and doesn't make other newbies think that regular lateness will be tolerated.
Is there a right way and a wrong way?
Or am I just overreacting about it and not to bother unless it gets worse?
The lateness occurred a couple of times before Christmas and it was casually brought up in conversation - something along the lines of 'please try and make an effort to get to work on time tomoorow'.
But since coming back at new year, they have been late in every occaision that I have been in the office that I remember.
I have two new employees. One of which is often late in. Usually between 5-10 mins.
Walks in and doesn't say a word about it and seems to think that's normal. So I prompt and ask 'traffic bad today?'.
The response is usually 'a little bit', and nothing more is said.
I am arranging a 121 to discuss this and other performance related stuff (good & bad) tomorrow.
All I need to achieve is an employee who has respect for time keeping and doesn't make other newbies think that regular lateness will be tolerated.
Is there a right way and a wrong way?
Or am I just overreacting about it and not to bother unless it gets worse?
The lateness occurred a couple of times before Christmas and it was casually brought up in conversation - something along the lines of 'please try and make an effort to get to work on time tomoorow'.
But since coming back at new year, they have been late in every occaision that I have been in the office that I remember.
Obviously, its nice to afford a bit of come and go - now and again, however, the employee is kicking the arse out of it and it seems to be a situation which needs addressed and nipped on the bud straight away. Other factors to consider - does the said person have any kids, have responsibilities with the school run etc. which could cause frequent late coming?
Mojooo said:
Depends on whether they HAVE to bo there to get the job done
How difficult it is for them to get to work (i.e distance and traffic)
Whether they make up the time.
I think it comes down to how rigid the situation is - some jobs are more flexible than others.
Also depends whether the company routinely expects employees to work beyond the "official" clocking off time. If the odd half hour or hour over is fairly common and not begrudged then best not to enforce hours too strictly or you might get what you wish for. I've seen offices turned into clockwatchers using these techniques, not through beligerence but unconcious cultural shift.How difficult it is for them to get to work (i.e distance and traffic)
Whether they make up the time.
I think it comes down to how rigid the situation is - some jobs are more flexible than others.
I moved from a company a few years ago where nobody batted an eyelid if you were anything up to 15 mins late to a company that didn't like you being 1 minute late. All it took from my (then) boss was a quick email saying can I please make an effort to be in on time as it was what is expected. Don't think I've been late since.
Because erratic traffic can f
k with your timetable?
Arguably if traffic is erratic the employee should accoutn for it by always elaving earleir - which is why I ask if it really IS a time sensitive job or whether the Op just has a thing for puntuality.
My journey to work can be very erratic and if I HAD to be in at a certain tiem everyday, I would end up in the office 20-30 minutes too early on some days. Therefore I would rather just chance it and be late some days (and make the time up later)
k with your timetable?Arguably if traffic is erratic the employee should accoutn for it by always elaving earleir - which is why I ask if it really IS a time sensitive job or whether the Op just has a thing for puntuality.
My journey to work can be very erratic and if I HAD to be in at a certain tiem everyday, I would end up in the office 20-30 minutes too early on some days. Therefore I would rather just chance it and be late some days (and make the time up later)
BrabusMog said:
I moved from a company a few years ago where nobody batted an eyelid if you were anything up to 15 mins late to a company that didn't like you being 1 minute late. All it took from my (then) boss was a quick email saying can I please make an effort to be in on time as it was what is expected. Don't think I've been late since.
What time did they leave in company 1 compared with company 2?One of the "late start" companies I worked for used to have the employees roll in between 9 and 10 but not normally leave until 7 or 8 and the workload was intense. 45 to 50 hour weeks were pretty normal and could get far longer in busy times. The next firm I worked for had a manager (not mine) who would issue a late form for people who weren't at their desk by 8:45 but they all left on the dot and the pace of work was slow enough to be boring.
Mojooo- I probably jut have a thing for punctuality.
It's not exactly time sensitive, but at the same time I feel it is unfair for one employee to be coming in late regulary when everyone else can make it in. My concern is that it could cause resentment or friction between the colleagues, or alternatively mean that they also decide that they don't need to be in on time either.
It's not exactly time sensitive, but at the same time I feel it is unfair for one employee to be coming in late regulary when everyone else can make it in. My concern is that it could cause resentment or friction between the colleagues, or alternatively mean that they also decide that they don't need to be in on time either.
presumably the most effective way to deal with it would be to dock his pay?
So if they have to work 40 hours a week and he misses 20 minutes a week then his pay reflects that?
you would need a clocking in/recording system etc - might be too much hassle - especially if you are not senior enough to enforce it.
So if they have to work 40 hours a week and he misses 20 minutes a week then his pay reflects that?
you would need a clocking in/recording system etc - might be too much hassle - especially if you are not senior enough to enforce it.
CDP said:
What time did they leave in company 1 compared with company 2?
One of the "late start" companies I worked for used to have the employees roll in between 9 and 10 but not normally leave until 7 or 8 and the workload was intense. 45 to 50 hour weeks were pretty normal and could get far longer in busy times. The next firm I worked for had a manager (not mine) who would issue a late form for people who weren't at their desk by 8:45 but they all left on the dot and the pace of work was slow enough to be boring.
Company 1 we left whenever we were done but that was rarely before 1730. Company 2 lots of people will leave bang on time regardless of workload but I can't do that!One of the "late start" companies I worked for used to have the employees roll in between 9 and 10 but not normally leave until 7 or 8 and the workload was intense. 45 to 50 hour weeks were pretty normal and could get far longer in busy times. The next firm I worked for had a manager (not mine) who would issue a late form for people who weren't at their desk by 8:45 but they all left on the dot and the pace of work was slow enough to be boring.
If it helps, company one was located in central London and company 2 is in Farnborough (Hampshire) so they probably have never had the whole tube/dlr/train/bus issues to deal with that would he the main reason for me not getting in on time.
Not senior enough to enforce it. Very small company that's not making any money at the moment.
I really don't want to go down the route of any form of punishment (unless it gets much worse and carried on chronically).
Maybe that it's because I am new at managing, I expected I would get a bit more respect and lateness in this form seems disrespectful to me, and maybe it's because they are still very new and it is thei first office job and I want I be able to mentor them in a positive way to help them grow whether that be within this company or elsewhere and I believe punctuality can be key in showing commitment etc...
I really don't want to go down the route of any form of punishment (unless it gets much worse and carried on chronically).
Maybe that it's because I am new at managing, I expected I would get a bit more respect and lateness in this form seems disrespectful to me, and maybe it's because they are still very new and it is thei first office job and I want I be able to mentor them in a positive way to help them grow whether that be within this company or elsewhere and I believe punctuality can be key in showing commitment etc...
Edited by Ilikebeaver on Wednesday 11th January 00:18
Buff Mchugelarge][clarkson]Take him outside and shoot him infront of his family. [/clarkson said:
Why would anyone think 10-20 minutes is ok? how odd.
If I start work at 9, Im there for at least 10 to..?! Its not that hard is it?
This is exactly my mentality and something I have always done myself in any job no matter what the commute. If I start work at 9, Im there for at least 10 to..?! Its not that hard is it?
Don't pussy foot around, people like this will just take the piss more if you do. Give him an official verbal warning now. If he does it again make it a formal written warning. If he does it a third time a final formal written warning would be in order. If he continues to take the piss, sack him.
Ilikebeaver said:
Mojooo- I probably jut have a thing for punctuality.
It's not exactly time sensitive, but at the same time I feel it is unfair for one employee to be coming in late regulary when everyone else can make it in. My concern is that it could cause resentment or friction between the colleagues, or alternatively mean that they also decide that they don't need to be in on time either.
I suppose how much it matters depends entirely on the culture of the company. It's not exactly time sensitive, but at the same time I feel it is unfair for one employee to be coming in late regulary when everyone else can make it in. My concern is that it could cause resentment or friction between the colleagues, or alternatively mean that they also decide that they don't need to be in on time either.
As others have said taking to one side and asking if there's a genuine reason (kids, caring for a relative, public transport or whatever) will make you look significantly better in the eyes of all involved. Especially if he can't give a valid reason.
Sorry but I simply cannot believe the responses in this thread so far! 5-10 minutes?! Really? Anyway before I rip the piss you may, just may be justified in some way so...
What is the job?
What is the working hours?
What are the breaks taken during the day if any?
How long is lunch?
How does this employee compare to others in terms of breaks, lunch, leaving for home?
Does he, for example, leave 5-10 minutes late?
How is his productivity?
Reason I ask is I had the biggest cock of a manager once who got really uppity about me turning up about 9.15am, this was despite me eating lunch at my desk, never taking a break (unlike smokers who were out every hour) and leaving after everyone else.
What is the job?
What is the working hours?
What are the breaks taken during the day if any?
How long is lunch?
How does this employee compare to others in terms of breaks, lunch, leaving for home?
Does he, for example, leave 5-10 minutes late?
How is his productivity?
Reason I ask is I had the biggest cock of a manager once who got really uppity about me turning up about 9.15am, this was despite me eating lunch at my desk, never taking a break (unlike smokers who were out every hour) and leaving after everyone else.
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