Hospitality workers have the worst track record when it comes to showing up for their jobs on time, according to a recent study by CareerBuilder.com. More than a quarter of them—27 percent—haul their butts in late at least once a week.
CareerBuilder.com suggested some strategies to tackle tardiness, including:
Keep the lines of communication open. If your staff has personal and family issues that sometimes prevent them from getting to work on time, it’s in everyone’s best interest if workers feel comfortable enough to be upfront with supervisors about a need for flexibility.
Reward timeliness. If late employees are affecting productivity, you can use incentives to help motivate punctuality.
Be on the same page about expectations. Clearly communicate with employees about your expectations regarding the length of the workday.
And if you think you’ve heard it all, consider these creative excuses mentioned in the study:
• My heat was shut off so I had to stay home to keep my snake warm.
• My husband thinks it’s funny to hide my car keys before he goes to work.
• I walked into a spider web on the way out the door and I couldn’t find the spider, so I had to go inside and shower again.
• I got locked in my trunk by my son.
• My left turn signal was out so I had to make all right turns to get to work.
• A gurney fell out of an ambulance and delayed traffic.
• I was attacked by a raccoon and had to stop by the hospital to make sure it wasn’t rabid.
• I feel like I’m in everyone’s way if I show up on time.
• My father didn’t wake me up.
• A groundhog bit my bike tire and made it flat.
• My driveway washed away in the rain last night.