Workers admit to being habitually late for work: Report
Does your morning routine typically involve hitting the snooze button and then scrambling to get out the door?
A new Careeerbuilder survey reveals that 16% of workers arrive late to work at least once a week. What's worse, almost one-in-ten admit to showing up late at least twice a week.
Actual reasons for being tardy vary from worker to worker, traffic is the main culprit with close to one-third (32%) of workers claiming it caused their tardiness. Nearly a quarter (24%) point to lack of sleep, while seven percent pin the blame on getting their kids ready for school or day care.
Many tardy people tend to be both optimistic and unrealistic, says Diana DeLonzor, author of “Never Be Late Again”, and this affects their perception of time.
Tardy people tend to think that they can make up for their lateness by working extra hours, she says, but all they usually do is leave a bad impression that can damage a career – even in jobs where schedules are more flexible.
And the consequences of not showing up on time can be dire: Roughly one third (34%) of employers claim that they fired at least one employee for being late.
Despite this, being late for work clearly stimulates some people’s creative juices. Here are a few of more outlandish excuses CareerBuilder has unearthed recently.
- I got mugged and was tied to the steering wheel of my car.
- My deodorant was frozen to the window sill.
- My car door fell off.
- It was too windy.
- I thouht I was already at work.
- I had to go to the hospital because I drank antifreeze.
- I had an early morning gig as a clown.
Are you usually on time for work? What do you say when you're not? What's the most wild excuse you've heard from others?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: karra1 | Apr 19, 2021 10:48:39 AM
Moderator, please remove comments like those of Canada Rocks. These forums are no place for advertising.
Posted by: TooGoodAtMyJob | Apr 20, 2021 2:38:27 PM
I used to be late everyday for my job. Fortunately, I'm in such demand, my boss changed my start time to accomodate for my tardiness. The solution for being late at work is, be irreplaceable at your work.
Posted by: Karabear | Apr 21, 2021 1:33:28 AM
My usual excuse for being late is not an excuse. I simply apologize profusely and work twice as hard that day to make up for it. I have been late due to ill pets, car trouble, personal medical issues and traffic, but i am a firm believer that personal stuff should be left at home. You are responsible for being at work for your start time period. I take it as a personal blow when i am late. Because iof this I set all my clocks ahead of those at work and i aim to be at work at least 15 min before my actuial start time every day. it doesn't always work but being late is usually a psychological problem, you don't give yourself enough time to fit your lifestyle. If you have kids, get up earlier or prepare everything the night before. if traffic is a problem, leave sooner and choose a route that may be a longer distance but is less likely to be jammed. there is always a solution but there should never be an excuse. Don't get me wrong, if your mother calls to tell you she's being taken to hospital for heart failure or something by all means, ur gonna be late. This is a reason though, not an excuse. Any emplyer can see the difference. As a professor at my college once said. TELL me your reason. Don't GIVE me an excuse. Very wise words.
Posted by: alexboon | Apr 21, 2021 3:01:11 AM
"Tardy people tend to think that they can make up for their lateness by working extra hours, she says, but all they usually do is leave a bad impression that can damage a career – even in jobs where schedules are more flexible."
That's because they ususally don't do it correctly. Being late 1 hour and working 1 hour after normal leave time -is not actually working 'extra' hours.
Every job I had since the 90's, I am always late by at least an hour. But I work at least 2 hours for every 1 hour late. So if I am 2 hours late, I put in 4 hours. 10-12 hours day are normal for me, all with no OT pay- now that's extra hours. I only get praise and raise from my employer, so when I decide to leave-they always want me to stay.
Posted by: slacker | Apr 21, 2021 6:03:44 AM
dead dog
Posted by: pregnant lady | Apr 21, 2021 2:00:46 PM
I'm late at least twice a week - but I'm expecting, so I don't say anything : ). Being pregnant is the best excuse.
Posted by: Latesleeper | Apr 21, 2021 5:13:44 PM
LoL, I am late EVERY DAY. I noticed my boss was late about twice a week so I took a cue. I stay late and she doesn't so she can't really say anything.
Posted by: Always punctual | Apr 21, 2021 5:34:07 PM
I am always early usually an hour or two, but the most common excuse/reason for being late that I have heard from my coworkers is carpooling trouble with their significant other.
Posted by: Mandy65739 | Apr 21, 2021 6:36:11 PM
Waking up in the morning is the hardest thing for me! I try not to be late because I hate giving my boss a bad impression of me. I'm usually more on time than she is. 10 minutes of snooze isn't enough for me though. When I hit the snooze button, I sleep in for hours and just call in sick.
Posted by: don | Apr 22, 2021 3:15:20 PM
The people posting here have obviously not had employment where you are serving the public. Work in some areas where if you are late your customer and is left waiting and you would lose your job. Funny how the highest expectations, such as beng on time, seem to be placed on those who gain the least.
Posted by: shoot me now | Apr 23, 2021 12:51:46 AM
personally, i can't wait to slip the shackles on, sit at the bench and start a full day of swinging the oars.
there is nothing more inspiring than moving the pirate ship across the seas of capitalism.
whip me please and then invite me to be a part of a survey.
Posted by: Kato Chen | Apr 27, 2021 2:46:02 PM
Listen if you want you need to stop working and work for yourself that what I did and its awesome!
I'm making about $6000.00/mnth stock trading right now.
I learned how to trade at:
www.metrotrade.ca
There located in toronto but I learned online
Posted by: Dr. Lindon | Sep 11, 2021 11:28:27 AM
I was in the same boat as TooGoodAtMyJob. I always arrived at my office 2 hours late every day, but also stayed 2 - 3 hours late every day. My immediate supervisor did the same. Our line of work did not depend on us being at the office at a specific time every day. I was always available by phone no matter where I was. My supervisor's boss, however, was very old school and did not appreciate this "flexible" work schedule. He eventually tried to put a stop to it, but when I threatened to leave, he let up. Now 15 years latter, my company has changed dramatically, and with high speed internet, I now work out of my home full time. Perfect for getting the kids off to school, and no traffic to fight. I manage my own work time. If I want to sleep in, I do. If I have a critical project to complete, I will work 12 - 14 hour days. If I feel overworked, I take a day off. My company expects a very high level of productivity from me, and I always deliver. Obviously very few jobs can accommodate this flexibility. I am fortunate mine does.