best way to make employees accountable for being late?

Question

As the general manager, I have several VERY good sales people who are continuously late every single day,despite my best efforts they just appologize (sincerely) and say it won't happen again. Yet it does, and I dont want to lose them but I also cant have my business running wild like this. What is a good and fair way to curb the lateness??

Answer 1

you have to set some tough but fair rules, and stick to them...

where I work, you can be late a few times, then you get written up... a letter goes in your file (for performance review/raise time).... if you do it too much, you get a day or two off with no pay. Of course, I'm not in sales...

Answer 2

When I started my job, my boss said that we are a flexible organization; sometimes people need to come in late or leave a little early. That's OK if there's a good excuse. "by the way, there is only one item on the list of good excuses: a box of donuts under your arm." Anytime somebody is late (even only 1 or 2 minutes late), whether is due to a doctor's appointment, traffic, or just oversleeping the employee brings donuts, bagels, or whatever for the group. It's just a way to demonstrate respect for the team & it's goals.

Answer 3

My employer tracks lateness and unplanned absences on a rolling 12 month period. Any incident over one year old is wiped clean. Sick days in a row count as one incident: I get sick and miss three days would count once, not three times.

Here's what they track:
1-2 freebies----traffic or the stomach flu happens
3-5 documented talk with supervisor
6-9 documented talk with manager
10-documented talk with manager and HR
11-documented talk with manager, HR, controller
12 - kiss your job goodbye

11 warnings is sufficient to get your act together.

The thing is, you have to be absolutely consistent with applying this to everyone. No special breaks. With your situation, it may take firing someone to let them know this will no longer be tolerated.
At my company, attendance records are considered for all promotions, transfers, and job assignments. They consider it an indicator of your work ethic.

Answer 4

In the beginning I always came early to work. Then I started becoming later and later. Actually when I came in early, I said to myself what's the point, nobody comes in that early and theres nothing much to do anyway. So I came in late, mostly cause I took my time to do chores and laundry or emails at home. I really hated getting marked for being late. But after awhile it didn't matter anymore. Well, some of my colleages did remind me or ask me why I'm always late. Maybe peer pressure from co-workers will motivate your staff to come in earlier. Actually, maybe sales people come in late because they don't really meet clients in the morning ... they are really fortunate to have a boss who cares like you ...

Answer 5

I agree with the very first answer that you got here. You have to stop being the cool boss and start enforcing rules and use coercion when possible. Believe me when I say that the "very good sales people" believe that the rules do not apply to them because YOU believe they are "very good sales people". It will be too long of an essay to explain how tardiness may very well be costing your company TONs of money. Your perception of them being "very good sales people" may be wrong. Tardiness may also be attached to other bad behaviors that you may not see.

If I was the manager, I would enforce company rules and use coercion when possible. This has gotten out of hand and you need to take care of it. I would also mention to your employees that they are "very good sales people" and that they may be replaced by "outstanding sales people"

Check out the public radio article about Dov Seidman or listen (podcast) to a forum at the following link.

Business and Marketing Student with Management experience (10 years/managing large teams)

Good Luck.

Answer 6

If they all depend on Public Transportation, then it can be helped. I know we could leave out a little earlier, even that does not matter much if you rely on Public Transportation, there is most days a problem on the subway system. Sometimes, on the bus service.

If you don't want to lose them, then you need to either open your business a little later, or do it yourself. I am sure they don't wake up saying, I am going to take my time I will get there, when I get there, or maybe they do. LOL

Answer 7

Put the worst offender in charge of making sure people are at work on time. Make it their personal goal for the quarter. Tell them it will be the main focus of their review. Imply that their job depends on it. Add that they are to set up tracking and review and give them the power to do it.

You'll be amazed at how the problem will sort itself out.

Answer 8

Are these inside sales or outside sales? If outside sales, who really cares if they're late, as long as they are making sales goals.

If they're inside sales (in other words, customer come in), why don't you find a way to reward them for coming in? For example, every day someone comes in early, they can put their name in a hat for a monthly drawing. Those with the most names in the hat will have the best chance to win.

Answer 9

Very good sales people are hard to find. Where would you be without them?
The company may no longer need a GM. What do you think?

Answer 10

If they are late then they must pay for the time they are not at work, its only fair