An employee who repeatedly shows up late indicates a lack of commitment to your business. Occasional tardiness is unavoidable. Even if you have rules in place, if many of your employees come in late without consequences, you can’t single out one employee … The Team Impact of Coming in Late to Work. Furthermore, the late employee’s actions may even make other staff members consider why they are bothering to arrive at work on time, causing other late employees… An employer who is found to have violated this rule may be ordered to pay penalties in the full amount of wages that were paid late, plus the attorneys’ fees for both parties’ lawyers. Otherwise, the employee in question may think that this is not an issue and start turning up late even more. This rule applies even to the United States government, as it discovered when it attempted to delay paying wages in light of a government shutdown . 3. Consequences. Say the issue is punctuality. The written reprimand is one of the steps available to supervisors and managers as they work with employees … Karen shows up late every morning and when asked why, she explains that she’s “just not a morning person.” She also arrives late … When soft skills or a new behavior is needed. Here HR expert Gemma Dale shares her management tips on how to discipline employees who are late – and if employee discipline is the right way to approach the issue. For starters, you won’t be able to rely on this employee to complete his or her part of projects. If an employee is late for any reason what-so-ever; traffic, weather, sick kid; the employee is forced to use their PTO time. We have for YEARS had the option of staying late … I thought Flag Day was a legal holiday. Other employees who see this behavior -- especially if it has no consequences -- might ask themselves why they should show up ready to work on time if it has no value in the company and if others are not being punished for not doing so. Reiterate your expectations for the employee, including her scheduled work times, such as 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an hour for lunch and two 15-minute breaks. Adjust employee schedules for employees who have to drop off the kids or drive in early morning rush hour. When asked about the most outrageous excuses employees have given them for being late, employers shared the following: I forgot it wasn't the weekend. New tasks also allow employees to feel satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment in their new skills. If your employee comes in to your business late every morning — or is absent, or taking personal day after personal day — you’ll soon develop a problem. If the employee continues to arrive late for work, after receiving counseling, the reprimand escalates the progressive discipline to the necessary next level. I had to watch a soccer game that was being played in Europe. Just make sure all employees are notified of the changes in any employee tardiness policies before they go into effect. Nothing will change if the employee does not know the consequences of his actions. Have a meeting with the employee and explain the effects of his lateness, like missing customer calls and the fact that other employees have to pick up the slack when he’s late. Is it frequently the case that an employee is late for work? Traffic delays, for example, or unexpected personal problems affect everyone from time to time, so business owners shouldn't overreact every time an employee shows up late. I put petroleum jelly in my eyes. 2) What is the common practice? Learning how to respond to employee lateness promptly and considerately is key. For example: "When you're late, calls go unanswered and deliveries are delayed."