Employee lateness
In the UK, employee lateness refers to the situation where an employee fails to arrive at their designated workplace on time for their scheduled shift or working hours, without prior notification or approval from their employer. This can include arriving late due to various reasons such as traffic congestion, public transport issues, personal circumstances, or simply not leaving home on time.
Employee lateness can be categorised into different levels of severity, including:
- Tardiness: Arriving 10-15 minutes after the scheduled start time.
- Lateness: Arriving 16-30 minutes after the scheduled start time.
- Absence: Failing to arrive at work for a full shift or part thereof.
Employee lateness can have significant implications on an organisation, including:
- Disruption to workflow and productivity
- Increased workload for colleagues who may need to pick up the slack
- Potential impact on customer service and satisfaction
- Negative impact on employee morale and engagement
Employers in the UK are entitled to take disciplinary action against employees who consistently arrive late or fail to notify them of their expected lateness. This can include verbal warnings, written warnings, and ultimately, dismissal in extreme cases.
In terms of HR policies and procedures, employers should have clear guidelines in place for managing employee lateness, including:
- A clear definition of what constitutes lateness
- Procedures for reporting and recording instances of lateness
- Disciplinary processes for addressing repeated or severe instances of lateness
- Support mechanisms for employees who may be experiencing difficulties that are contributing to their lateness.
Employers should also consider implementing measures to prevent employee lateness, such as:
- Flexible working arrangements
- Adjusting start times to accommodate individual needs
- Providing support and resources to help employees manage personal circumstances that may impact their attendance.
- Regularly reviewing and updating HR policies and procedures to ensure they remain relevant and effective.
AceRota’s automated scheduling and reminders feature can help reduce employee lateness by sending notifications to staff about their upcoming shifts, allowing them to plan ahead and arrive on time. Additionally, the app’s real-time attendance tracking enables managers to identify patterns of tardiness and address any issues promptly.
