June 18, 2010
With Britain’s commercial industries still reeling after a universally painful recession, new research has revealed employers are keeping a closer eye on employees’ time keeping.
More than one third, 39%, of UK business leaders claim they are being more vigilant on staff tardiness than in healthier economic times, according to surveys by CareerBuilder UK.
Following interviews with more than 100 employers across Britain, 27% said they would sack an employee who was late between two and five times during employment. But, 46% of UK employers said they didn’t care if their employees are running late as long as their work is completed on time with good quality.
When asked to share the most unusual excuses workers gave to explain their lateness, some employees claimed they were the victims of nearby bank robberies, volcanic ash clouds or even an impending comet’s impact on earth.
However, employers have been warned that sacking employees without following the correct disciplinary procedures could result in further problems down the line.
Where a lack of punctuality does become a frequent problem, employers need to follow a fair disciplinary procedure in accordance with Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service guidelines.
Employees should not be sacked without receiving a disciplinary hearing, informal warnings and then a series of additional written notifications. Equally, minor incidences of lateness should not be used as an excuse to get rid of someone for any ulterior motives.
Despite employers being urged to take a more pragmatic approach to staff lateness, the survey shows a laid back attitude to timekeeping may not be the best policy for employees during the current climate and they should make sure alarm clocks are properly set for the weeks ahead.
