Response Paywizard

Dear Forever Tardy,

       If you have a job for which you are expected to arrive within a certain time period, you should ensure that you do so.  (In fact, best practice from the WorklifeWizard is that should actually allow yourself a bit of wiggle room in your commute so as to allow any extra time needed in case of traffic, a late train, a last-minute double espresso craving, seeing a friend en route, the need to settle into your workplace without appearing windblown and out-of-breath, etc.  But I digress – let’s start with where you are, FT…)  Of course there are some jobs where employers really DON’T care what time you come in, as long as you get your work done, but these jobs and employers are few and far between.  Nonetheless, maybe this is an option for you for the future if this best suits your work style?

            However, for your purposes today, if an employer expects you to be somewhere at a certain time, consistently violating that expectation reflects poorly on you.  Furthermore, if you have a contract, you may actually be in violation and therefore be putting  your job in jeopardy.  Even if you are not in violation of a contract, if you are not living up to expectations and not fulfilling your responsibilities as a good member of your workplace team, I am admittedly concerned for you, your performance evaluations, and subsequently your future job prospects if this job does not work out for you.  After all, when you require a referral, you are already aware of what your current employer is likely to point to as a problem area for you as an employee.  Even when counseled, you have continued behavior that you are aware is contrary to your employer’s expectations.

You may perceive your tardiness as being a point of power for you, but let me suggest that your tardiness actually gives your employer tremendous leverage over you.  In other words, by continuing to arrive late, you are giving an employer a reason to call for your dismissal (or the position of power to know that you could be fired but remain on-the-job under tenuous circumstances).  No matter how good the quality of your work is, if you provide someone a reason to find fault, it is a problem.  So, instead of constantly worrying each day as to whether you will be disciplined or dismissed for your tardiness, set the alarm clock for a little bit earlier and go in early.  Make your way back from lunch promptly and rest assured that you at least have a job to return to, FT!

Although what you said may be true, that your employer really doesn’t care what time you come in, why test that statement for a few more minutes of sleep?