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It seems the more professional and higher in rank the job is, the less anyone cares about being on time. Every employer I have worked for in the last 10 years has had flex time, so can arrive and depart between certain times, so it takes a big effort to be late. Even if late, usually a phone call as long as able to (have guidance against using cell phone and driving).
Quote:
Originally Posted by rmm0484
I was late to work twice in the first month of my new government job. They would not let me make up the time, so my pay was docked.
The first time I was late, the main street leading to the government facility flooded (water main break), causing a disruption in traffic.
The second time i was late, soon after the first late charge, I tried to avoid the above-mentioned main street, and took the Beltway instead. As I exited the underpass, I heard a loud boom, and the window to my car shattered in my lap. It turns out that someone had shot my car window with a BB gun. I had to take it to the dealer for repairs. I never knew it was a BB gun until much later, since someone would take pot shots at cars every now and then at that same location.
They treated me like a deadbeat at work from that point on, so in return, I never gave them a fraction of a second more than they deserved of my time.
This was before cell phones, in case you were wondering....
Federal job? Usually they grant admin leave or allow you to use annual leave for your examples. Were you covered under a CBA? Did you review what your department regulations stated? Did you appeal the decision to doc your pay?
Even though i wasnt late, stupid construction blocked off all the places where i could park so i had to walk half a mile to get to work. And since i am brand new to this city, it didnt help out matters.
Depending on the agency you work for, the federal government is VERY forgiving. However, you generally don't have any type of time to use when you first start working (you build up credit time if you wish to) or, if your agency permits, you can 'flex time' and just make up however long you were late at the end of your workday.
When you took the car to the dealership for repair after the window was shot out, I assume you called someone to let them know you would be late and/or not in until it was repaired?
Suggestion, which I have done for every single new job I have ever had: drive around the area around the time you are going to work, so you can be aware of the types of issues or delays you could potentially face. Find out where the parking and alternate parking is. That way you can plan. And finally, leave early, even if you're 1/2 hr early!
I agree with a previous poster, too. I seem to be one of a dying breed who actually cares about being punctual.
Not normal traffic. But if there is heavy snow or a major incident maybe you will be excused.
I have a 40-mile commute on mostly rural roads in the snow belt
It takes an hour in good weather with no issues.
If we have had snow (very likely from Nov-Mar), I just leave the house an hour to an hour and a half earlier.
I can see a traffic incident being a good reason for being late to work since you can't plan for it and stuff happens but honestly, the weather/road conditions can be planned for unless it's a sudden blizzard out of nowhere.
I have employees who mostly live within 2-3 miles of the shop and TBH it's kind of aggravating to see them come in late/call off over snow when there are other employees who live further away and manage to make it in.
The higher I've climbed in the corporate ladder the more I realized being on time in the office means absolutely nothing to someone who is already working 10+ hours and can be on-call any moment something goes wrong...
The higher I've climbed in the corporate ladder the more I realized being on time in the office means absolutely nothing to someone who is already working 10+ hours and can be on-call any moment something goes wrong...
Once in a while (depending on the nature of your job): yes.
But if you're chronically late due to "traffic", then you need to get up early.
Sometimes, a major accident causes an extra hour or two to be added to your commute. Do you really need to arrive 2 hours earlier to work on most days just so that you'll still be on time in spite of the rare 1 in 1000 accident that causes an abnormal delay?
I caught a train yesterday and sat there for 25 minutes! It typically only takes me 15 minutes to get to work. As long as you're not using that excuse all the time and it's rare it's no big deal. If you're late ALL the time and it's due to traffic, well you have to leave earlier!
Being late for work because of traffic is not a good excuse. If you know traffic will be heavy and are a distance away from your place of work, you should leave early and allow time to commute to work timely and safely.
I caught a train yesterday and sat there for 25 minutes! It typically only takes me 15 minutes to get to work. As long as you're not using that excuse all the time and it's rare it's no big deal. If you're late ALL the time and it's due to traffic, well you have to leave earlier!
It wont let me rep you any more. But shout out to you!!!!
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