What’s the best part about having late employees? Getting to hear the ridiculous excuses. Okay, maybe it’s the only good thing about having employees show up late. Otherwise, it’s pretty darn irritating.
The truth is, some people just aren’t “morning people.” Try as they might, they just can’t get out of bed without hitting the snooze button two, or ten, times. These people are chronically late, and that can only mean one thing: They’ve had a whole lot of experience coming up with excuses. The real gems come from the pros.
The following is a list of the top 10 excuses business owners hear from late employees. Let us know if they sound familiar.
10. I was camped out on the street in front of the Apple store to get the newest iPhone (so, I could do my job better, of course). Sleeping on the street isn’t an excuse for being late for work. It doesn’t matter if it’s for an iPhone or a spot on American Idol. If your boss didn’t ask you to do it, it has nothing to do with your job.
9. The line was too long at the coffee shop, but I got you coffee too (smile). Oh, boy…
8. My car wouldn’t start – but, then it did – 10 minutes later. This is possible, but unlikely – especially if said employee drives a new car.
7. My alarm clock broke. Poor alarm clocks always take the fall. How often do alarm clocks really break, anyway?
6. I lost my car keys. This one is usually pretty honest, though often exaggerated. Instead of admitting that the keys were finally found under a pile of clothes, there’s usually an elaborate tale of someone stealing a purse or something of the sort.
5. There was a power outage. Unless someone else lives on your block, it’s hard to prove that there wasn’t a power outage. But if this one is used often, you know it’s a tall tale.
4. I was speeding so I could get here on time, and I got pulled over by the cops. So, what you’re saying is that if you left the house on time for work, you would have been on time for work? Just want to be sure I understand…
3. I ran out of gas and had to walk to the gas station. Hey, these things happen. We know they shouldn’t (we should always be prepared), but we are human. As long as it doesn’t happen often, employers will usually let this one slide.
2. I was working late last night and was so tired this morning that I slept straight through the alarm. Ah, an excuse with a little brown nosing thrown in… crafty!
1. Traffic. When all else fails, blame it on the traffic. This excuse is so common that employees don’t even use it in a sentence anymore. They just walk in muttering that one word.
As entertaining as these excuses are, wouldn’t it be great if your employees just showed up on time. With a good employee time clock, you can know who the late-comers right away. But hopefully, they’ll be a little more diligent when they know their time is being recorded.
Top 10 Excuses Business Owners Hear from a Late Employee,
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