Getting to work on time: a brief history and current example

[mike_v_s]

I'll open this by saying that I used to be late to work. Daily. No exaggeration. I had coworkers who would bet on my arrival time. In my early-mid 20's, I nearly lost three jobs because of tardies. Two of those had to break their own rules to keep me (a work ethic helps when you can't seem to figure out how a clock works). One summer working construction cured that.

I'm 34 now, am my own business, and work with multiple other contractors in a courthouse setting researching land title. Basically, we read recorded documents all day long, i.e. mortgages, acts of sale, leases, etc. Because this can get a little grating, the guy we contract with only requests that we work 9AM to 4PM. Six. Hours. You add that to the fact that this field isn't the easiest to break into and you'd think everyone would be showing up at 8:45 just to make sure, right?

We have another contractor that consistently shows up at (I swear I'm not lying) 10:30. She claims she's "not a 9 o'clock kind of girl". While I cannot do anything about it personally as she does not work for me, I expect our crew will have an opening by Christmas, if not sooner.

Mike

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

I'll open this by saying that I used to be late to work. Daily. No exaggeration. I had coworkers who would bet on my arrival time. In my early-mid 20's, I nearly lost three jobs because of tardies. Two of those had to break their own rules to keep me (a work ethic helps when you can't seem to figure out how a clock works). One summer working construction cured that.

I'm 34 now, am my own business, and work with multiple other contractors in a courthouse setting researching land title. Basically, we read recorded documents all day long, i.e. mortgages, acts of sale, leases, etc. Because this can get a little grating, the guy we contract with only requests that we work 9AM to 4PM. Six. Hours. You add that to the fact that this field isn't the easiest to break into and you'd think everyone would be showing up at 8:45 just to make sure, right?

We have another contractor that consistently shows up at (I swear I'm not lying) 10:30. She claims she's "not a 9 o'clock kind of girl". We'll have an opening by Christmas, if not sooner.

Mike

to me ten minutes early is like five minutes late......getting there just under the wire throws off my whole day....the only time i violate this is for this one guy who is continually late relieving me,(we can't go until relief shows up)so i'll wait around the corner the exact amount of time he was tardy,then come in and engage him in all kinds of meaningless talk while he tries to leave....

[Stinsok]

Being constantly late is sign of arrogance. She is probably late for parties, other appointments, etc. She is self important and a drain on your company. Fire her.

[mike_v_s]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

Being constantly late is sign of arrogance. She is probably late for parties, other appointments, etc. She is self important and a drain on your company. Fire her.

I can't, I'm an independently employed contractor. I am my own company and contracted by a "broker", working with others in the same capacity. If she were an employee at Mike_v_s, Inc., she'd have been toast 6 months ago. As it sits, I just have to put up with it.

Mike

[TrooperFarva]

My office hours are 8-5. This was explained to me in orientation. When I go into the office, I typically get there around 9-9:30.

I do this for a few reasons. First, I'm not a morning person. It doesn't matter what I time I go to bed the night before, if I have to wake up early, it's agony. I'm happier, and more productive, if I get up a little later. Second, I don't take off at 5. I put my hours in. Typically a lot more than 40 hours per week, and I'm on salary. Last, my boss explained to me early on that regardless of company policy, he doesn't care what hours I work, so long as I can be reached, and I get my work done. He has this policy for our whole team (6 people), and himself. He has enough clout to insulate us from what other people may think.

But if I'm going to a site, for any sort of customer support, I always show up on time.

I'm a control systems engineer, for those curious.

[MakiSupaStar]

Is she hot? No pics no tardy tramp.

[wabbit]

Maki Maki Maki

You're incorrigible ..... but ..... if nothing else, you're consistent. Good on ya mate!

[Rattman]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

Being constantly late is sign of arrogance. She is probably late for parties, other appointments, etc. She is self important and a drain on your company. Fire her.

Hopefully you've documenting all of her tardies. When you've finally had a 'gut-full', put them all in writing, then hand her a copy of it as you bid her "farewell".. she is BAD for your business obviously..

[iamlowsound]

I am always early. I hate being late and I hate it when people are late.

lowsound

[mike_v_s]

Originally Posted by Rattman

Hopefully you've documenting all of her tardies. When you've finally had a 'gut-full', put them all in writing, then hand her a copy of it as you bid her "farewell".. she is BAD for your business obviously..

I can't fire her as she doesn't work for me. We are both contracted through the same broker.

Mike

[LaklandBass]

"Early is on time. On time is late. Late is unacceptable"

[TBrett]

Originally Posted by TrooperFarva

My office hours are 8-5. This was explained to me in orientation. When I go into the office, I typically get there around 9-9:30.

I do this for a few reasons. First, I'm not a morning person. It doesn't matter what I time I go to bed the night before, if I have to wake up early, it's agony. I'm happier, and more productive, if I get up a little later. Second, I don't take off at 5. I put my hours in. Typically a lot more than 40 hours per week, and I'm on salary. Last, my boss explained to me early on that regardless of company policy, he doesn't care what hours I work, so long as I can be reached, and I get my work done. He has this policy for our whole team (6 people), and himself. He has enough clout to insulate us from what other people may think.

But if I'm going to a site, for any sort of customer support, I always show up on time.

I'm a control systems engineer, for those curious.

My work situation is similar, although I'm an admin assistant, not an engineer. I'm consistently late when showing up at the office. I am soooo not a morning person, either, and I've got an 11-year-old to organize for school, while trying to organize myself! But if I've got an early meeting or other important event, I make arrangments to be there ahead of time. Technically, I'm supposed to be at work for 9:30. No matter how hard I try, it seems I generally don't make it until just after 10. My job is not normally time-sensitive, though. Because I take responsibility for so many different functions in the office, as well as providing support for 5 people, and because I put in my required hours and have no problem staying late when necessary (my current manager has a habit of walking by my desk after 5:30 saying, "I realize it's not 7 yet, but you might want to think about going home"), no one mentions the time I arrive. (Although it should be noted that they did grouse a bit when I wasn't arriving until 10:45 a couple of years back, which I totally agreed with and subsequently got my act more together.) I'm on salary, too. And I rarely take a proper lunch break. I still try my best to show up as early as possible, though, because I like my job and I don't want to make anyone feel I'm taking advantage. I work my butt off for them and they appreciate it. I've previously held managerial positions in other fields, overseeing others who in some cases didn't fit the mould. Like my current employers, I think it's sometimes better to let the smaller issues go, like absolute punctuality, for instance (unless time-keeping is essential for the position) if the person's productivity is above par. It's all about motivating people to do their best. Often not an easy task!

[mike_v_s]

Originally Posted by TBrett

Like my current employers, I think it's sometimes better to let the smaller issues go, like absolute punctuality, for instance (unless time-keeping is essential for the position) if the person's productivity is above par. It's all about motivating people to do their best. Often not an easy task!

In some situations, I can see this. My previous job didn't have set hours and I frequently put in 70 hours a week. However, we do 90% of our work in a County or Parish Courthouse and they only keep the record room open certain hours, usually 8:30-4:30. Coming in at 10:30 and taking a lunch makes for a FIVE hour workday IF she stays until closing. Absolute punctuality isn't necessary, but that's absolutely ridiculous. We get paid well enough that showing up at 9AM isn't asking that much.

Mike

[warwick.hoy]

I'm a baker (more like glorified oven operator who sometimes mixes doughs) that gets paid by the hour. I like to show up five minutes early to get things situated, gather the tools and supplies I need and get a bead on what needs to be done for the day. Basically I like to be working,...not be at work,...at the time I'm scheduled. That doesn't always happen but as I said,...I'm a baker and have been to work as early as 4am.

[Indiana Mike]

You have to get creative and make her job hell. Make her quit. The whole time you must remain innocent and friendly. Use your imagination. My employer does this all the time to problem employees. Think office space on steroids

I show up a half an hour early and begin at the appropriate start time. To early can aggravate people as much as being late

[L-A]

When possible, I come in half an hour before work time to read a book and drink my coffee.

It puts me in a good mood for the day.

[Jefenator]

I must confess, I sometimes have a bit of trouble, rolling in right at the top of 9. Guess that makes me a bad person.

But "late" for me is like 5-10 minutes. They're pretty casual about that and frankly, it's one of the minor perks that lets me enjoy working there all the more.

Once I'm "on" I definitely haul butt for them - I'm always pushing the productivity envelope and I don't really take breaks. I'm the only non-family-co-owner who didn't get laid off last year, so I must be compensating for my occasional lapses in punctuality somehow.

[MakiSupaStar]

I have to be at work by 7:15.

[David1234]

Have you tried "Hi good morning good to see you. Can I get you anything? A watch perhaps?"

[IconBasser]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

I have to be at work by 7:15.

sucks to be a teacher...