If you’re an employer, it’s likely that, you’ll have to deal with an employee who is constantly late to work. It can be frustrating and disruptive to the rest of the team when someone is consistently tardy.
Here are a few tips for handling the situation that will help set expectations and establish a standard that all employees need to follow.
Address the Issue
First, talk to the employee. Find out the reason for the tardiness and see if there is anything you can do to help. Maybe they are struggling with a personal issue, or they just don’t have enough time to get ready in the morning. If you can help resolve the issue, the employee will be more likely to show up on time in the future. If the problem persists, you may need to take disciplinary action. This could mean a warning, suspension, or even termination, depending on the severity of your problem with them being late to work.
Make your expectations clear
When you speak to a habitually late employee, clearly state what behaviors they need to change and what you expect to see in the future. Use language that explains exactly what being on time means to you and the company. In your meeting, present the facts using dates and times that support your case. Avoid using vague or subjective terms that can lead to misunderstandings. You could also provide employees with a written policy that outlines these expectations. Employees should be held accountable for meeting the standards outlined in the policy and should be disciplined if they fail to do so.
Use incentives
One of the best ways to ensure employees get to work on time is to reinforce their positive behavior by providing rewards. Whether it be weekly, monthly, or yearly; a reward reminds your employees that you appreciate the fact that they take their job seriously and do their best to get to work on time. If a chronically late employees see that their co-workers are receiving rewards for their punctuality, this may encourage them to be on time, so they do not feel as though they are missing out. These incentives can take many different forms, from financial bonuses to special privileges or privileges such as flexible work hours.
Use time tracking software
I it’s important that you use good time tracking software. A good timeclock manager not only allows you to keep tracking of your employee’s time but also allows employees to see how frequently they are on time or late. Humans are visual creatures by nature, so being able to see punch times from a computer or phone will help them learn to better manage their time.
Schedule meetings to start the day
Meetings that begin just as the workday starts can help motivate staff members to arrive on time. This can also set a productive tone for the rest of the workday. If you’re not prepared to do this every day of the week, choosing a Monday or Friday morning can be effective to prevent tardiness.
Check-In With Employees
If you’re looking for a way to reduce the number of employees who are late to work, you may want to consider checking in with them regularly. Employees who are contacted by their boss or manager at least once a week are less likely to be late. For some employees, a schedule where they work from home may be the cause of being late. This may be because they feel less accountable to their boss when they’re not in the office.
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