Almost half (46%) of workers feel resentful of a colleague that is consistently late for work, according to a recent survey on employee punctuality by Jobs.ie. Moreover, half of survey respondents in senior management positions (50%), said that colleagues arriving late for work creates workplace animosity.
While it is inevitable that even the most dedicated workers will occasionally be late for work due to reasons beyond their control, consistent tardiness, if left unaddressed, can create tensions in the workplace and undermine business productivity and employee morale.
The most commonly cited reasons for being late to work are heavy traffic (59%), oversleeping (33%) and the weather (26%), according to the research.
Just over 20% admit to telling a fib or lie when explaining their reasons for being late for work.
Among those surveyed on their employer’s attitude to punctuality:
- 41% described being punctual for work as absolutely essential
- 37% said there are no real consequences for being late
- 8% said there is a casual approach to punctuality and employees arrive when they wish
- 10% said that provided an individual gets through their work, nobody really notices what time they start work.
A punctual nation
The survey results show that by and large Irish workers are punctual. 96% of all employees said that they always arrive to work on time, with over half of employees (59%) aiming to be in work at least 15 minutes ahead of their scheduled start time.
Those who work nine to five prove to be the least punctual with less than half (47%) arriving to work on time every day within the past twelve months. 71% of respondents who work early morning shifts and 71% of those who work night shifts were always on time in the past year.
Even the most rigid of employers understand the occasional delays. However, if lateness becomes a regular occurrence, it can result in real consequences for an employee’s career.
41% of employers are said to have a ‘zero tolerance’ policy for lateness in the workplace, enforcing punishments if employees fail to show up for work on time. In addition, 1 in 4 employers (25%) have fired somebody due to recurring lateness.
Making up for lost time
The vast majority of employees said that they have previously stayed beyond regular work hours to make up for being late to work:
- 53% have stayed late to make up for the time that they missed
- 20% have come into work early the next day
- 21% have worked through their lunch break to make up for lost time
It is becoming increasingly evident that the 9-5 workday is becoming an antiquated practice. 50% of employees said that they would like to see flexible work hours enforced to accommodate late arrivals to work. 27% said that they would like to have the option to work from home on occasions when they were unable to make it into work on time.
A further 20% would like to see a clear lateness and absenteeism policy enforced by their employer which sets out the implications and consequences for consistent late arrival to work.
Commenting on the results, Jobs.ie General Manager Chris Paye said:
“It may come as a surprise to many people that Irish workers are actually a very punctual bunch and take great pride in being on time or even early for work. Given this context, it’s inevitable that tensions can arise in the workplace if one colleague is consistently late without a valid excuse.
“One potential solution is moving towards greater workplace flexibility, particularly in relation to start and finish times and remote working facilities. However, this is not a universal solution and may not be effective in all organisations.
“To address lateness in the workplace, each employer must attempt to understand the core reasons why their employees are not arriving to work on time. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and every lateness policy should cater to the needs of each individual workforce in order to be effective.
“The importance of implementation of clear and precise policies in the workplace on matters like lateness ensures that everyone is aware of the expectations of their employer, reducing conflict and creating a harmonious and productive work environment.”
