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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 13/09/2018 10:41

As pp said, speak to her instead of a manager, if you have to do anything. And then leave it.

She's only just started. It's 10 - 15 minutes. She'll learn, or she won't and then someone will take the appropriate action.

Original poster
NervousPotato · 13/09/2018 10:46

Okay thank you guys I will try chat with her about it first and give her the heads up 

I’m not out to get anyone in trouble, I want her to do well so when I come back my job role has been looked after well and they haven’t had to run around getting someone new if she doesn’t work out – so I am all for her staying and doing the best job she can!

I think its just me worrying about her work ethic, if she thinks its ok to turn up late 4 times in a row then what else is she going to think is ok whilst im off? I don’t want the rest of my team to suffer because we chose the wrong person with the wrong work ethics

OP posts:
Rhiannon13 · 13/09/2018 10:48

I’m not a manager.

And there's your answer. Why not just have a discreet chat with her? Treat other people as you'd wish to be treated yourself, and all that.

Eanair · 13/09/2018 10:51

Look, just treat it as part of the handover. Some workplace are really relaxed about start times (within reason), some aren't - you just need to explain to her that this isn't one of the relaxed work places.

And I wouldn't link it to her work ethic, ffs.

Bluntness100 · 13/09/2018 10:54

Jeez, you're a bit ott here, she's the wrong person, not got the right work ethic, it's really unpleasant. Do you resent her in some way?

Worst case just have a very polite word and say to her bosses hate lateness here, best to get yourself in on time and leave it there.

PoesyCherish · 13/09/2018 10:55

Don't like it to her work ethic. Maybe she just genuinely is trying to get used to the new routine and work out a commute. Give her a break, it sounds like she has only been there a short while. It's also probably her first proper job so give her a chance to settle in

If you're that concerned though, chat to her and not your manager and tell her you're worried she may get in trouble and you really wouldn't want that to happen.

MaryDollNesbitt · 13/09/2018 10:56

I think I'd be more inclined to ask if she wanted to go for a tea/coffee over lunch and have a gentle word with her about it. Ask her how she's finding the job and if there is anything she's struggling with, etc. Be kind and friendly - maybe ask if she's needing help with anything before you head off on ML? Then say something like:

'I've noticed you've been a wee bit late in the past few days. I know the traffic can be awful and you'll be trying to figure out the fastest route in, but management can be very late aware here, so keep a close eye on your time keeping. Is there any chance you could leave home a little earlier to make sure you get to work on time?'

exWifebeginsat40 · 13/09/2018 10:56

sorry, am i missing something here? why is it ok for someone to be habitually late?

only on mn, eh?

GOSH OP SO WHAT I MEAN WHY SHOULD IT BE EXPECTED THAT SOMEONE ARRIVES ON TIME TO START WORK AT THEIR CONTRACTED TIME? WHAT CENTURY ARE YOU EVEN LIVING IN? CHILL THE FUCK OUT, YEAH?

yeah, no. start time is start time. tell your manager, who should then ensure that your cover understands their responsibilities.

genuinely baffled at the idea that OP is some massive next-level narc for even thinking about raising this.

not on my watch, OP. no quarter.

Bluntness100 · 13/09/2018 10:58

I don’t want the rest of my team to suffer because we chose the wrong person with the wrong work ethics

And I doubt there was any "we" in the choosing process. You sound incredibly turf protective over your role. Are you struggling to let go? No one is good enough? Only you?

oooerrmissus · 13/09/2018 10:58

Did she start this week or did she start being late this week? I'm only asking because the school traffic has really ramped up in my town this week. I could see her being caught out if she doesn't pay attention to holidays and thought it was an exception rather than the norm this week.
I agree with PP, have a quiet word about the lateness but phrase it as a helpful comment to her rather than a telling off.

ILoveHumanity · 13/09/2018 11:01

No don’t tell the manager that’s snitching

HollowTalk · 13/09/2018 11:01

I think I'd have a word with her in private and tell her things are pretty strict at your company and she'd be far better off aiming to get in 15 minutes early, to give herself time to get sorted before work starts, than to come in late. I'd point out that it's one thing being late in an emergency, but normal traffic doesn't count as an emergency.

IrianOfW · 13/09/2018 11:02

Don't tell on her. But do give her a head's up that if it continues she may face consequences as management really value punctuality. After that it's up to her.

Bluntness100 · 13/09/2018 11:04

why is it ok for someone to be habitually late?

Seriously?

Because she's new, and because the welcoming thing to do would be to have a quiet word with her, not to go running to management questioning her work ethic.

As a manager my response would be "have you spoken to her about it. She's new, let her settle in" and I'd think you were a bit of an arse.

prh47bridge · 13/09/2018 11:06

At this stage I would point out to her that punctuality is important to the company and that, if the manager was aware she had been late 4 days in a row, she would be in trouble. If she still doesn't sort it out I would tell the manager. Given the importance the company places on punctuality, someone else will if you don't and then there might be questions as to why you didn't report it.

Xenia · 13/09/2018 11:08

Just leave it but she certainly will not do well in her later career if she keeps turning up late. She will suffer in the end for it and when you get back from your maternity leave they will realise how much better you are!

Feefeetrixabelle · 13/09/2018 11:11

I would just be honest with her that repitive lateness will be noticed and is a disciplinary issue at the company. Say your not saying it to be mean as you know she’s getting used to the route but that while she’s getting used to it maybe she should be aiming to be 10-20 mins early until she’s used to the journey.

howmanyusernames · 13/09/2018 11:12

Just have a quiet word, nicely......

"Hey new girl, just a bit of a heads-up, they get a bit funny about timekeeping here, and while I totally get that traffic can be a nightmare if the Manager finds out he/she may not be the same".

She is covering your role when you're off, keep her on side, and it's only 10 mins while she could be figuring out the traffic or just getting into a routine after not having one while at Uni.
It could also be that she doesn't realise that she does NEED to be there at the time she's supposed to start. If she's been at Uni and hasn't worked before this is all new to her.

McWilde · 13/09/2018 11:14

I couldn't be arsed with the potential of getting dragged into work drama just before your maternity leave.
Just tell her to her face about it, and then let her and the manager deal.

PonderLand · 13/09/2018 11:16

I was 6 minutes late a few weeks in a job I've done for 3 years and never been late, I got a warning written on my file Shock I think the right thing to do is for you to tell her. You don't have to be patronising about it, just say the managers are really strict on time keeping.

Telling the manager about it is worse imo than being late. It will cause tension at work for everyone and everybody will be watching their back around you. I remember a woman at work taking 10 minutes longer on her break and two other women went straight to the manager. It's caused so many problems within the staff and it makes for a very uncomfortable atmosphere when the two girls are working. It's like a never ending tit for tat now.

Kahlua4me · 13/09/2018 11:17

I think I would speak directly to her, explain that it is frowned upon within the company and that it’s not good to always be late for work. In the long run you will be helping her as it won’t sit well with future employers.

It could well be that it is simply due to her trying to figure out her timings with traffic, route etc but by not saying anything you are accepting of it which you are not.

We run our own company and I am pretty flexible but would say something if somebody was late every day. I have no problem with people leaving early if the work is done, but if they are supposed to start at a set time they should be there.

When I was nursing there was one member of staff who was late every day, due to not getting ready in time not travelling. Eventually I decided that he had to make up the time at the end of his shift so every body else went home and he had to stay on. After two days of that he was never late again 😀

Mugglemom · 13/09/2018 11:18

I think it's super annoying for people to repeatedly be late, but I wouldn't say anything. It's not your job to manage her, it's your manager's. If he feels comfortable with how things run when he works in a different office, that's on him.

If he should come to your office one morning and find she's not there and then be told by other staff that she regularly arrives late, then the onus is on him to do something about it.

Especially considering she is new to it and figuring it out (and knows you're there if she is a bit late), it's not really a big deal. Either she'll show up on time when you go on leave or she won't, but either way it won't be your problem because you'll be getting ready to welcome your baby into the world!

(Congrats, btw!)

Haireverywhere · 13/09/2018 11:18

I'd give her a heads up that it will be noticed by colleagues and the management will get to hear of it. Then I'd go off on mat leave!

If there is a correlation between her punctuality and other areas of performance then it'll get picked up eventually and management will deal with it.

Lateness more than 4x a month is a verbal warning where I work so I get the concern but she's new so I'd give a friendly head's up.

WhollyFather · 13/09/2018 11:20

Some really weird responses here. Have any of you ever actually run a business?

If her contract says she starts at 9am she is being paid from 9am and should be in the office. In some firms late once gets a friendly word, twice gets a firmer word, three times gets a letter reminding the individual of their obligations and 4 times is a disciplinary.

It's the manager's job to keep tabs on staff attendance, not yours, so I'd suggest a quiet word in their ear before you leave so the problem can be monitored.

My experience is that a slack attitude to timekeeping is often paralleled by a slack attitude to work. This person needs a bit of a life lesson.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 13/09/2018 11:20

I agree talk to her about it. Highlight how strict the manager is. Tell her that you always leave early for work and bring a book/ breakfast/ check social media etc if you have time before 9am. It might help her if she doesn't think she is having to start before 9 but just needs to be there at 9 iykwim.

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