“I was late because there was police activity and they made us stay in the house so I couldn't leave.” This one came from a CFO, says Kimberly Mecklenburg, CEO of LifeLabNetworks and Mecklenburg Media. However, according to a recent survey by employment website CareerBuilder, that stress doesn’t stop people from coming up with creative — and often strange — reasons for being late … Frequently, late employees hinder productivity on a bigger level than an employer might initially realize. While honesty is often the best policy, always keep your excuse simple, and don’t go into detail. I’ll be late because I fell asleep on the train home and missed my stop, only to wake up three hours further down the track and not able to get back the same evening. CareerBuilder. Other excuses reported in an earlier survey were as equally weird: Even though you think it might be acceptable to be late once in a while, your boss might not agree. Some reasons for tardiness are so unrealistic that we are afraid to tell our boss about them. – will be honest without raising questions. An astrologer … Other excuses that work well include having an appointment, a sick child, a school delay, car trouble, mass transit delays, a family emergency or illness, house problems, or waiting for a service person for repairs. It Develops a Poor Reputation. But it’s generally in a manager’s best interest to confront employees who frequently—or always—show up late. People are late because they don’t want to be early. You may tell yourself it takes twenty minutes to get to work, but if it actually takes forty minutes, you’re going to be chronically late. I had morning sickness. Most of us know people who … Being late for work can be a stressful situation. If possible, offer to come in early or stay late to make up for some of the hours lost. But sometimes the story gets so strange it can make it harder to believe. Usually, it's OK. People understand. When asked how often they come in late to work, more than 1 in 4 workers (29 percent) admitted they do it at least once a month — up from 25 percent last … I think being late to work was probably the BEST part of her day compared to that. You'll waste other people's time. ... Chronically Late? “Yes, this was an excuse used by someone on my team,” Burston says. One of the main reasons for being late is the journey to work. Apparently, this is a common cause of tardiness. Employees who rarely arrive late to work should probably be given the benefit of the doubt—as there are valid reasons for being late. You know how stressful being late can be. Traffic, oversleeping and procrastination are among the most common reasons employees show up late for work. Feb 05, 2015 at 1:25 PM . Though, the reason for the delay in submission has to be substantial in order to get the necessary extension period. As a member, you can upload up to five versions of your resume—each tailored to different types of jobs you're looking for. Check out this infographic for some real stats on being late for work… Most of the time when you're late to work, it’s due to circumstances that are out of your control, like a sick child or traffic jam. A hole in the roof caused rain to fall on the alarm clock and it didn’t go off. Don’t Use These Strange Excuses. (Tires really do go flat!) Some employers also follow up with employees to see whether they are lying. (This one turned out to be true!). It happens to everyone at some point. The least punctual workers in the United States tend to be millennials - 22 percent of them admitted they arrive late to work at least once a week. Best and Worst Excuses for Being Late to Work, Tips for Giving Excuses When You're Running Late, Best and Worst Excuses for Getting Out of Work, Sample Excuse Letters and Email for Sickness and Absent Days, Excuses You Can Use to Take Time Off for a Job Interview, What Absenteeism Is and How It Can Impact Your Employment, Tips for Sending a Sick Day Email Message, Tips for Calling or Emailing in Sick to Work, How to Write an Excuse Letter for Missing Work, 12 Tips for Asking for (and Getting) Time Off From Your Job, Pandemic Perspectives: Bar Maven on Shuttering Ops and Unemployment Issues. When you lie, you break that trust and that will upset an employer even more.”, It’s important to apologize as well, says Dramis. I had to call a locksmith and get him to open the door, so I could retrieve the keys, get the children to school, and then come to work. Punctuality is one of the crucial aspects of maximizing operational productivity in any industry. Alison Doyle is the job search expert for The Balance Careers, and one of the industry's most highly-regarded job search and career experts. One of the most common reasons for being late to work is the weather. People are late because they don’t want to be early. The Real Reason Why Some People Are Always Late To Work. Routine interruption may throw other employees off, particularly those who rely on the late employee to do parts of their jobs. It could be as simple as showering at night instead of in the morning, getting up 15 minutes earlier, taking a train that’s a few minutes earlier than you usually do, or packing your lunch the evening before. 17 Legitimate Excuses For Being Late To Work You Can Only Use In Alaska 1. Being tired and forgetful round out the top five reasons for being tardy. Sample Apology Letter for Being Late to Work Because of Traffic Traffic is perhaps the number one cause of lateness, especially to the workplace. In most cases, your host will understand and everything will work out fine because we all know that stuff happens--from flat tires and unexpected traffic to airline delays. If you're the boss, this may not seem like a big deal, but think about … Broken car Radio: When employees set out to offer funny excuses, it starts from their car. … The least punctual workers in the United States tend to be millennials - 22 percent of them admitted they arrive late to work at least once a week. Writing an apology letter to a manager is not an uncommon occurrence. The bitter cold, the wild animals and the extremes of light … Excuse #2: I had trouble with my car. The employee could be taking longer to leave in the morning to spend time with a relative … Related: 4 Acceptable Excuses for Being Late to Work If you continuously fail to meet your timeline the word will spread and … “Everyone at the meeting believed her but she forgot that there are so many apps about traffic and incidents and I couldn't help but check it out,” Mecklenburg says. Sample apology letter for being late in submission of work. This employee had been very drunk the night before, Burston says. One of the most common reasons for being late to work is the weather. Car troubles are usually good excuses for being late to work. Don’t overshare: An overly detailed excuse might sound fake, even if it isn’t. You might try to make the appointment at the beginning of the day, or toward the end of the day, so you are still at work for a solid few hours. There are … “Acknowledge that you understand it sets a bad example, impacts the team, and that you are taking steps to correct it. Did you oversleep, forget to set the alarm, kids made you run late? My coffee was too hot and I couldn’t leave until it cooled off. To me, the reason is not important because sometimes completely legitimate reasons are also private, personal matters while silly reasons may cause an employee to lie.”, Heslin says she’d rather not know the reason and instead focus on whether the lateness is a chronic issue. Major snowstorms, heavy rain or flooding and other major weather events can make it very difficult to drive … Making sure that you show up on time prevents all that angst in the first place (yours and theirs! However, try your best to excuse yourself from work only when absolutely necessary—otherwise, your employer and co-workers may consider you unreliable. But constantly rushing and scrambling to catch up not only makes you feel lousy—it also makes everyone around you anxious and uncomfortable. It is very important to .submit any work given on time. JLS... 2. I fell asleep in the car when I got to work. Often students actually end up forgetting when the submission was due and turn up at the last moment with lame reasons. (Note: the employee had worked for their current employer for five years. The good news is, you're not alone: At least 16% of the working population admits to rolling into the office late at least once a week. Call in late and simply explain to your supervisor that the subway is closed due to technical checks or that your usual bus didn't turn up because of drivers' strikes. If it is a last-minute decision, contact your boss as early in the morning as you can. There are lots of excuses for missing work, either for taking a day off or for coming in late. The main thing is that you get to work on … Integrity is what every company wants. (This was from a male employee.) If you need to leave early, here are some excuses to use—and not to use. And if you are missing work for a reason you cannot share with your boss—for example, if you are interviewing for another job—you can keep the interview secret without lying. In most cases, your host will understand and everything will work out fine because we all know that stuff happens--from flat tires and unexpected traffic to airline delays. From losing your car keys through to unable to find a parking space - there is a whole range of perfectly reasonable explanations for being up to three hours late. The employer writes this letter apologizing for the late submission. I have already arranged for … Therefore, if you can, be honest about why you are missing work or coming in late. The Real Reason Why Some People Are Always Late To Work. I forgot I did not work at my former employer’s location and drove there by accident. Whatever the reason for the holdup, it’s important to let your … I couldn’t eat breakfast – I ran out of milk for cereal and had to buy some before getting ready for work. “At some point the business will decide they have to move on without you,” she says. Of the 115 million people who are employed in the U.S., the average … 17 Legitimate Excuses For Being Late To Work You Can Only Use In Alaska There are a lot of crazy things that can go wrong in Alaska. With so many waking hours spent at the office, it is likely that you will make a mistake at some point and show up late … Maria Katrien Heslin, owner of GPS to Success Coaching & Development, says she’s heard a lot of excuses why people are late to work, “from menstrual cramps and oversleeping to carpool problems … Other excuses, however, are just too bizarre. For those who use public transport to get to work, this excuse will be as easy as pie. However, according to a recent survey by employment website CareerBuilder, that stress doesn’t stop people from coming up with creative — and often strange — reasons for being late to the office. "There was a moose eating willows in my driveway... between me and my car. Train delayed, traffic jams, bus was late… Join Monster today. Your manager wants to know you understand the implications and are taking steps to change.”. I accidentally put superglue in my eye instead of contact lens solution and had to go to the emergency room. - V: 2020.26.0.27-825 -. For the punctually challenged, this basic motivation drives behavior whether consciously or unconsciously. Recruiters search Monster every day hoping to fill top jobs with qualified candidates. By continuing, you agree to Monster's privacy policy, terms of use and use of cookies. Most of the time when people are late, the excuses are pretty common: As a consultant and founder of the Interview Expert Academy, Jonathan Burston says he has heard a lot of excuses over the years, but warns that your reputation at work can dictate whether you get the benefit of the doubt when offering up a unique explanation. Thank you!You are now a Monster member—and you'll receive more content in your inbox soon. Notifying Your Boss About a Doctor Appointment, This Year's Most Bizarre Excuses for Being Late to Work, I had morning sickness. The most incredible things always happen at the worst moment. A co-worker admitted she was late because she “got overzealous washing her face and had to change clothes and start over.” Moving (Or Not Moving) Violations There was a metal ladder spread … For the punctually challenged, this basic motivation drives behavior whether consciously or unconsciously. Keep in mind the following advice about giving excuses for missing work: Let your boss know ASAP: If you know in advance that you will need to take a personal day, let your boss know in person or via email as soon as possible. Just don’t make this a regular habit because it will reflect poorly on your time and attendance tracking at work. Regularly being late can be symptomatic of a deeper problem for the employee in question. A survey conducted by CareerBuilder finds that some excuses for missing work are more popular than others. Traffic, sleep schedules, and weather conditions are the top three. Could you use help getting started? Top 10 excuses for being late for work. If you have reasons to believe that your tiredness is a result of burnout or overwork, you may need to make a plan on how to discuss this with your employer to adjust your workload or determine some other course of action. Sometimes, you just can’t help being late for work. Amazon.com: 365 Excuses for Being Late to Work (9781558506350): Andy Sharpe, Greg Moutafis: Books If possible, as soon as you know you’re going to be late for work or a meeting, inform your boss immediately. It’s too cold to work. Be careful about making excuses for late assignment submission as it ha s to be backed by good reasoning. I tried to cut my own hair and made a horrible mess of it, so I had to find a salon that was open and could fit me in to fix it. Some excuses are legitimate, such as when a babysitter cancels at the last minute, you or a family member are sick, or your car doesn't start. But every once in a while, your boss will want an explanation. No matter the reason why they oversleep, many people use this excuse for being late to work. Traffic, oversleeping and procrastination are among the most common reasons employees show up late for work. If the … (Tires really do go flat!) Whenever possible, try to come in early or stay late to make up for the lost time. It's not always easy to remember what you said to whom, and getting caught in a lie is not good for job security. I woke up on the front lawn of a house two blocks away from my home. It may be time to find a new job rather than a new excuse for your tardiness. Sign up to get job alerts relevant to your skills and experience. Stuff happens, things go wrong, and it can be hard to get out of the house to arrive at work in a timely manner. But being late is not uncommon. At some point you may run out of reasonable excuses to use. Be (mostly) honest: There is a good chance that a bald-faced lie to your supervisor, colleagues, or clients will come back to bite you. “If you are late, be honest. But constantly rushing and scrambling to catch up not only makes you feel lousy—it also makes everyone around you anxious and uncomfortable. And it doesn't matter that you won't get into your house. Even though they are creative, these excuses probably won’t work with your boss or manager. Copyright © 2020 The majority of employers (60%) say they expect employees to be on time every day, and 43% have fired someone for being late, up from 41% the previous year. And the employee used that excuse not once, but twice. Maria Katrien Heslin, owner of GPS to Success Coaching & Development, says she’s heard a lot of excuses why people are late to work, “from menstrual cramps and oversleeping to carpool problems and car trouble. There were also some strange excuses in the latest survey. “Whether someone is believed or not depends on who they are as a person, and their general work ethic and past experience.”. My car wouldn’t start this morning, and so I’m going to be late for work. When Can You Get Fired for Calling in Sick? He stayed there for over an hour!" Major snowstorms, heavy rain or flooding and other major weather events can make it very difficult to drive safely, and sometimes can occur with little to no warning. And the number of such situations is always higher in the mornings. Employees who rarely arrive late to work should probably be given the benefit of the doubt—as there are valid reasons for being late. Use excuses sparingly: Things happen that are out of our control—we get sick, we get a flat tire, our child’s school cancels. It is a very good habit to always reach office on time but sometimes because of personal reasons, we might have to report late a work and in such a situation, writing a formal permission letter for coming late is office is the best thing to do. Everybody’s human and makes mistakes, so own up to yours and move on, says Sheila Dramis, CEO of HR Partners. “That has proven to be a respectful and effective method.”. Maybe the real reason you're running late every morning is because you're reluctant to go to work. The student can as well write this letter to the teacher, apologizing for the late submission for the work given. I’m running late because I spent the night in urgent care after being beaten up and stabbed. Getting out of a warm bed becomes an uncomfortable task as the increasingly harsh, bitter cold can make it difficult to rouse … If you always try … I forgot that the company had changed locations. ), A zebra was running down the highway and held up traffic. Besides, chronic lateness can end up hurting you in the long run. You try to get one last thing done. This is better than spewing out excuses. For example, an employee working on a project who is late 10 minutes each day for a week loses nearly an entire hour of work. You know how stressful being late can be. "This Year's Most Bizarre Excuses for Being Late to Work," Accessed Sept. 27, 2019. If you have run out of excuses, think twice before you decide to get creative. If you’ve already had a migraine, you know how terrible it is. You are late for work and you must provide excuses for being late to your boss. Frankly, you've got no excuse not to. My children locked me out of the house and wouldn’t let me in. Punctuality is one of the crucial aspects of maximizing operational productivity in any industry. An astrologer warned me of a car accident on a major highway, so I took all backroads, making me an hour late. Being late for work can be a stressful situation. I woke up with a terrible migraine. "A moose was walking super sloooooooow in the road and I was stuck behind him forever!" Be thoughtful about when you skip work: If it is at all in your control to select when you skip work – such as when you have a doctor’s appointment—try to plan a time when your absence will not be so perceptible. Making sure … Depending on your manager, it might not matter—or it could be a big deal. We've all been late to work. (This was from a male employee.). That is because of the snarl-ups that do arise from time … If you’re late on a regular basis, figure out how you can change your morning routine so you can make it to work on time. Do you need to apologize for being late to work? It happens to almost everyone at one time or another, so be prepared to handle it appropriately. An employee who isn't working when he's supposed to is an immediate loss of productivity. But it’s generally in a manager’s best interest to confront employees who frequently—or always—show up late. The proper way to inform your boss you will be late is a matter … My coffee was too hot and I couldn’t leave until it cooled off. ). “No police activity anywhere near her, but inspired creativity on her part.”. Need some more data to help explain to your boss why you're not there at 9 on the dot? I was watching something on TV and really wanted to see the end. Being five minutes late or leaving five minutes … I had to get the children to school first. Chronic tardiness may be a sign of job dissatisfaction. Even if you’ve run out of excuses, there are some reasons that you shouldn’t use when you’re telling your boss why you’re running late. Bright Side gathered the most unexpected reasons for … A simple excuse – for example, saying you have an appointment (which you do!) Being five minutes late or leaving five minutes early can develop into a chronic issue that costs thousands of … Isn ’ t go into detail the long run may throw other employees off, particularly those who on. Regularly being late to your boss or manager being tardy in order to get creative let me in, you! You must provide excuses for being late to your boss as early the... N'T get into your house may run out of the most common reasons employees show late... Manager is not uncommon any industry if possible, offer to come in early or stay to! Lousy—It also makes everyone around you anxious and uncomfortable up with employees see. 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