How to Handle Employee Excuses for Being Late

Published: Feb 2, 2017
Updated: May 12, 2021
1 minute read

Dealing With Unacceptable Excuses for Being Late

Dealing With Unacceptable Excuses for Being Late

Dealing With Unacceptable Excuses for Being Late

The majority of CIOs and other executives expect workers to show up on the job on time every day, but many employees struggle to get into work on time.

Timely Policy

Timely Policy

53% of the employers surveyed expect their workers to be on time every day, and 41% said they’ve fired someone for being late.

Alternative View

Alternative View

Just 18% said that if their employees get the job done, they don’t need to be punctual.

Tardy Tally

Tardy Tally

29% of the employees surveyed said they’re late for work at least once a month, and 16% are late for work at least once a week.

Top Reasons for Lateness

Top Reasons for Lateness

Traffic: 49%,
Oversleeping: 32%,
Bad weather: 26%

Antiquated Idea

Antiquated Idea

64% of the employers and employees surveyed believe that the concept of working 9 to 5 is outdated.

Outrageous Excuses for Being Late: Calendar Conflict

Outrageous Excuses for Being Late: Calendar Conflict

“I forgot it wasn’t the weekend.”

Outrageous Excuses for Being Late: National Celebration

Outrageous Excuses for Being Late: National Celebration

“I thought Flag Day was a legal holiday.”

Outrageous Excuses for Being Late: Natural Disaster

Outrageous Excuses for Being Late: Natural Disaster

“The wind blew the deck off my house.”

Outrageous Excuses for Being Late: Animal Kingdom, Part I

Outrageous Excuses for Being Late: Animal Kingdom, Part I

“I was cornered by a moose.”

Outrageous Excuses for Being Late: Animal Kingdom, Part II

Outrageous Excuses for Being Late: Animal Kingdom, Part II

“My pet turtle needed to visit the exotic animal clinic.”

Outrageous Excuses for Being Late: Mommy Issues

Outrageous Excuses for Being Late: Mommy Issues

“My mother locked me in the closet.”

Dennis McCafferty

Dennis McCafferty

Content Writer

Dennis McCafferty, a writer for eWeek, Baseline and CIO Insight, has more than 20 years of experience as a writer. He has covered a variety of technology and business topics for a number of publications, including those of Ziff Davis. Dennis was also an editorial staffer for USA Weekend, the nation’s second-largest magazine, with more than 22 million readers.

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