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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to tell my manager about new girls lateness

124 replies

NervousPotato · 13/09/2018 10:18

I am due to go on mat leave. My cover started recently, she is a student (taking a year out of uni) drives her own car (so not relying on public transport) really nice girl who I get on with well blahblahblah

However, she has been late into the office 4 days in a row now. Now, I’m not usually one to care about lateness, I’m not a manager and I wouldn’t like being picked up on it, but 4 days in a row?? It’s been between 10-15 minutes late every morning…

AIBU to let my manager know? Manager is based in another office so isn’t here to notice… only I do…

She keeps saying ‘sorry, can’t figure out the traffic and what time to leave my house!’ – she uses google maps to get here (which tells you how long its going to take you…) surely after being late just the once you would leave super early until you figure it out?

I don’t want to be a ‘snitch’ but I feel 4 times in a row is inexcusable ?

What would you do ???

OP posts:

Bluntness100 · 13/09/2018 10:19

It's ten to fifteen mins. What's the big deal at this point?

And no I wouldn't.

Bluelady · 13/09/2018 10:20

Keep my lip buttoned. As a manager I wasn't concerned with when people arrived at or left work as long as they were effective and competent. If I was your manager I'd think a lot less of you for stirring up trouble.

newnamechange1234 · 13/09/2018 10:23

Does her lateness affect the job at all?
Or is it like shift work, where the person before her can’t leave until she turns up, type of situation?

It’s annoying, I’d be tempted to drop it into conversation with your manager somehow! It’s only 10-15 mins now, it could sneak up to 20/25/30 as time goes on.

Ghostontoast · 13/09/2018 10:23

She may have a shorter lunch hour or stay a bit late heaven forbid work more effectively than you.

QuestionableMouse · 13/09/2018 10:23

Don't say anything. It'll make you look bad and even with Google maps figuring out a new commute can take a while.

Nothisispatrick · 13/09/2018 10:25

Unless it’s directly impacting your workload YABU.

Boyskeepswinging · 13/09/2018 10:25

Is it critical for her to at work at a certain time? You may need to say something if that's the case eg you are opening up a doctor's surgery, opening a shop etc. But in every office I've worked it makes not one jot of a difference if you arrive at 8.30 or 9.00.

Original poster

NervousPotato · 13/09/2018 10:26

I should have added really that my manager and other people in our team (who are all based in another office) are pretty ‘corporate’ and so the repetitiveness of being late is definitely frowned upon.

This is why I’m in 2 minds as I feel once or twice is fair enough but 4 days in a row is a bit extreme?

And no we all work 9-5:30 with an hour lunch, no one has different working hours so everyone else is in the office by 9am latest

OP posts:

specialsubject · 13/09/2018 10:26

millenial excuses are hilariously pathetic, arent they? but unless it is making work for you,ignore because this is your manager's problem.

If the student cant do the job it is up to the manager to notice. Most managers wont walk round a building let alone visit other offices so dont hold your breath.

if this shows how the company is run as a whole, protect yourself as it may not be there when you want to return.

Original poster

NervousPotato · 13/09/2018 10:27

If he was here to see every day he definitely would have pulled her aside, as a fellow team member told me he almost lost his job here for being repeatedly late

OP posts:

MsHopey · 13/09/2018 10:27

Google maps does an average but it does occasionally add minutes on during the drive if traffic has built up during the commute.
Saying this, and I don't want to sound snotty, I'm never late for anything because I always give myself enough time to get there. If it's a 20 minute journey I'll give myself 35 minutes.
Id rather be early and wait around a bit than be late. And this is for normal every day life for me, I think this is more important when you're being paid to be there.
15 minutes late equates to an hour this week, seems a bit worse than it should be.
Not sure how to approach it without looking like telling tales though and unfortunately your not her manager so it's not your place to say anything.

user1499173618 · 13/09/2018 10:28

The kind thing, surely, would be to tell the girl discreetly that being late is not on and that she needs to sort this out today.

RedDwarves · 13/09/2018 10:28

millenial excuses are hilariously pathetic

Eanair · 13/09/2018 10:28

I think you need to be really clear to her about this - look at it as a heads up to a new colleague around the culture of the team/company. If she brushes that off, then it's on her. If she ignores it and it's having a wider impact on customers etc then you could raise it to the manager after that, but you really should make sure she's clear on it first.

Bluelady · 13/09/2018 10:30

As she's your mat cover, is it really in your interests to put her job in jeopardy? You won't be there to see what time she arrives soon. I completely fail to see what you hope to gain.

BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 13/09/2018 10:31

I had someone on my team this summer who was on a temp contract, and arrived at least 15-20 minutes late every day, blaming traffic. Her contract won't be renewed and if she asks, that will be the reason why.
That's the policy where I work, and it impacts on other people who have to cover her role while we waited for her every day.

I would tell her that once you've gone, she's likely to be pulled up on it and it won't look good.

0ccamsRazor · 13/09/2018 10:33

Rather than going to the manager, why not just talk to the woman involved?

Give her the heads up that should the management team notice habitual lateness, they will take a very dim view.

frankie001 · 13/09/2018 10:33

I would have a chat with the girl and warn her informally

Porridgeprincess · 13/09/2018 10:34

I would just give her a heads up next time she is late that the manager had rang that morning or something before she came in and for her to be careful about it.
I wouldn't tell the manager though

MeredithGrey1 · 13/09/2018 10:34

I would say just leave it, but as you've said repetitive lateness is frowned upon, you could just mention it to her yourself? In a friendly way, just to let her know that it is something that might get noticed in the future and that you wouldn't want her to be seen as less professional by the rest of the office/team? You've said you get along well with her so I'm sure you could word it so it came across as you just giving her helpful info about the company rather than calling her out for it?

practicallyperfectmummy · 13/09/2018 10:36

Be kind, don't get her into trouble just give her a heads up about her time keeping and how managers will probably tackle it firmly.

Do you feel threatened by her at all taking over your position? Guessing your leaving soon so it's not your issue to deal with but seems rather mean to get her into trouble when she has barely started.

Padparadscha · 13/09/2018 10:37

millenial excuses are hilariously pathetic, arent they?

Hahaha yes they are! Gosh don’t you just miss your good old days when you had a real reason to be late, like your horse broke his leg on the three day ride to work, or your parents caught the Black Plague and you have to warn the street before leaving. Or are they still ‘young excuses’ for you? ‘Sorry I was late, I couldn’t drive my car because the wheel hasn’t been invented yet’ was possible more in-line with your age?

OP, don’t be a snitch for goodness sake. I’d tell her yourself in a kind way that if management pick up on her lateness, they won’t take it well and you’d hate to see her get into trouble once you’re gone.

easternedge · 13/09/2018 10:38

You seem very keen to tell. Speak to her first. If it continues and you feel you need to, say something then.

TokyoSushi · 13/09/2018 10:39

What are you going to gain by reporting her to the manager?

Shes your maternity cover, she's nice, your manager is going to find out soon enough once you've gone and they'll take it up with her if necessary.

MountainsPlease · 13/09/2018 10:41

I’d have to say something. With a new job you make sure you’re there super early to get there on time. Of course it impacts you if she’s finishing he same time/taking the same lunch as you.

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