How do you get your employees to come to work on time?

Question

I have an incredible employee, and I don't want to lose him. The bad part is that he can't get to work on time to save is soul. How can I change that. We have talked about it several times, and he understands how I feel, but he is still always late. Help!

Only serious answers please.

Answer 1

If you really value him, be point blank with him and let him know that if he can't be dependable and be there when you need him that you are going to have to let him go. If you let him keep walking on you then he is only going to continue to do it. Another thing if you are open to it is to be creative, invite him into your office, ask him what he wants out of life and this job... see what he says and if it is satisfactory to you and your business goals then say okay, I like you and I feel you do a good job, but I deserve you to be dependable and be here when you say you will... yet you keep being late... what is it that is keeping you from keeping your word... if it is nothing that is disrespectful and shows disregard for you and is understandable then come to a compromise, like him coming in at a later time and working later... or simply not working as many hours or something else that is acceptable to both of you and then if he can't make that, or his reasons or attitude is disrespectful or shows disregard for you or the job the let hm go as you aren't doing him or your business any good....

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Good luck to you and your situation.

Answer 2

You can do several things. First of all, you need to tell him what you told us... that he is an incredible employee and that you want him to have a bright future at your company Be careful at this stage about being threatening - you don't want him to be too discouraged, and don't say "we don't want to lose you". Sounds desperate, and he may be taking advantage of you.

Then you ask him what he can do to fix the problem. Have him come up with ideas - he can, for instance, pretend he has to be to work earlier than he actually does. (Don't actually schedule him earlier so that you can allow him to be late - this is HIS responsibility, remember that). He can get five alarm clocks and out them around the room (something I've done before).

Next step is telling him what will happen on the next offense. I suggest a formal write up as well since the behavior has been chronic already.

If he does not comply, write him up once more, and tell him that he will be suspended the next time he is late.

Then suspend him for three days. Happens again? A week. Happens again? Two weeks. Happens again? Bye bye, nice knowing you.

You cannot allow a person to manipulate you - in essence, what is happening is that you are being blackmailed. He has something you want - he does good work - and he's doing whatever he likes because he has what you want.

Make sure that you check all the labor laws in your area with any plan you intend to proceed with. I personally would be even more strict than this, but... this should be a safe plan.

And, about cutting hours... don't go there. If you cut hours instead of actually talking to the employee and documenting the problem with write-ups, you are asking for him to quit and sue for unemployment... and yes, it can be done. If you create a situation in which it can be said to have "forced" him to quit, he may be able to get unemployment, so be careful - if he's full time, better leave him at full time.

Formal suspensions, on the other hand, are better... as long as they are progressively more severe rather than three weeks right from the start.

Answer 3

Speaking as someone who has had issues coming to work on time, what is the urgency with coming to work "on time" for you? There are CLEARLY some businesses that NEED people in on time - broadcasters can't show up at 11:15pm to be on the air at 11pm. But if the employee stays late and gets the work done and it's NOT a job where time is critical, then why not be flexible? I'm now an independend consultant and I try to provide windows of when I will be arriving. Now more than ever, it's difficult to maintain a schedule when client A may end up keeping you longer than you anticipate. But many businesses offer Telecommuting, flex time, 4 day work weeks, and otherwise freedom to work as they feel they need to - businesses are beginning to realize that PRODUCTIVITY is more important than a set schedule (obviously, depending on the job - a baseball player can't show up for the 7pm game at 8pm). But if the employee is an accountant or an analyst of some sort and doesn't need to interact with others all that much - or that interaction can be done by phone, then work that way.

I'd rather have a guy who knows what he's doing and gets the job done properly and efficiently at 2am than force someone to come to work at 9am because that's when everyone is supposed to be there.

If you really must enforce a set schedule, then try incentives. Tell him the year (or quarterly) bonus will be dependent upon how often he's late. Or his salary (at review) will not be as high as it might be if he can't come in on time. Offer to let him leave early if he arrives early. Give bonus vacation days - 1 per month when he's not late at all during the month.

Answer 4

Dear employees Great news we are having an attendance contest this month; for those employees who make it to work 100% on time all month will be treated to a lunch on the boss. Second prize is YOUR FIRED!

Good employees care about their job and their performance. If your office policy is everyone arrives by 9am ready for work, great! I suggest you have all employees sign an agreement when hired that includes an on time every day policy. If they sign you have their word they will do what you ask.

But be fair and consistent.

Answer 5

There are three kinds of employees that may work for one.

There are those who come in late, leave early, overstay lunch and breaks, and find ways to steal time.

One does not need these employees.

There are those who come in early, leave late in order to complete a task, may not take breaks or lunch.

One will not keep these employees. They will eventually be in business for themselves.

There are those who faithfully arrive on time, always leave on time, take their lunch and breaks, never overstay, and do everything that is required or asked of them.

One cannot do without these employees.
They are the backbone of ones business..

I worked for a man one time who had your problem with another employee.

One day the employee came in late. This was in a department store.

He called him into his office and told him that he would not be working today. "I want you to go upstairs to the "Employment Office" and sit there all day and just observe. You will be paid for today and I expect you here on time tomorrow morning."

The next morning, the boss called him into his office, "Did you do what I asked you to do yesterday?"
"Good, what did you see while you were up there?"
"Not much, just a lot of people, looking for work."
"And if you come in late one more time, that's what you will be doing."

It worked.

Answer 6

You can call him in the morning to wake him up if you want to keep him. As a manager, I would tell him to be on time tomorrow, or else he can start looking for another job. I think you can hire someone who is responsible that can do the job and report on time. You are running a business, not a daycare for employees.

Answer 7

he has to have a change of heart. best way i can think of is that you must change yours to give him a chance.. (because he is learning that you put up with his lateness.. he is actually smart!) So you may have to change first for him.

i would suggest something you might think is risky.. but it is risky only for a day or two.. as long as you remain steadfast & unchanging in your decision. once he learns you "for sure" have changed.. then he will know he will have to change too.

your change.. (a very steadfast one..) will have to be that if he comes in late.. you will have to say he cannot work for you the rest of that entire day. but you can welcome him to try once again tomorrow. it might be difficult for you to miss him for the few days it might take.. but in the end .. you will have a steadfast employee.

it will be tough on you actually.. (to mannage the change in your own behavior) let him know you will be just as sorry as him.. when he cannot work that day.. but as a boss.. it is your job to be a good guide.. and let him know you know beyond doubt that he will make it in on time because he is so good at his job when he is there. but that the business requires his goodness all the time he is supposed to be there & nothing less. all you are asking him to do is what he said he was going to do when you first accepted him as an enployee. & once he catches on.. he will end up being proud of it.

well i hope this helps.. i happen to have a small degree in psychology that i hardly use.. but the answer to the problem actually comes more from the heart. (your heart.. because he will be smart enough to change (to follow..) once you become steadfast enough for him to know that he must. & that will be doing him a whole lot of good. & you too.. & the company..)

Answer 8

I've wondered that myself with the employees i work with. I'm a dining room supervisor/waitress. And I would put him on the schedule, but not for the 5 days he works, maybe 1 day less. He'll get the point.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

if showing up for work on time is vital to your business so you are unable to change his schedule, you should let him go. Obviously if you had many discussions regarding this matter with him and he still shows up late, then he doesn't respect you and he knows he has hand.

when you have a great employee it's hard to see life without him/her but life does go on. it depends on how much effort you're willing to put in to replace him and find someone else with the same skills but one that will respect you.

there are many qualified people out there. if you're unwilling to put in the time to find a replacement, learn to live with it.