Everybody runs late once in a while, at some point- traffic accidents, horrible weather, car craps out, etc... but I'll never understand the folks who show up late every *******' day.... The shift starts the same time every day, why is it so hard to get there? To me, it's just passive aggressive rudeness. I used to start report on time (I gave report on all 27 beds- I assessed everybody, did their orders and MARS, and went around with the LVNs who had the direct care, and were great about telling me if anything was going on) - full house or not (and I told mgmt this when I went back to work at a facility I'd worked at before- they said OK) ... there were notes to look at and a kardex... if they wanted 'live' and in person- then show up :) If the oncoming charge nurse was late (very rare on that floor), I'd wait for her and go over report- she had to know (and wasn't time challenged).
My favorite excuse for a chronically late CNA was "the train goes by every day on my way to work and I'm stuck at the crossing".... hmmm... could ya leave 10 minutes earlier???? Avoid the train altogether?
Chronic lateness reeks of "my time is the most important, so you peons (regardless of job/title) can just wait for my wonderful self to decide to drag my butt to work".....doesn't fly w/me
I am one of those who abhor lateness....I am always early...but that's just the way I am...It doesn't matter If it's for work or a doctor's appointment, I am there at least 15 minutes early....
If I am running late...which is very infrequent, I actually get feelings of panic start...I think in all of the years I have worked I have been late two times...and I called ahead and told them.
I am sorry, I just don't think there's an excuse for chronic lateness. It's rude to the offgoing staff. How do you feel when you are trying to get out of there after 12 hours and your replacement is late??
Figure it out and fix it. It's part of being a professional.
I've only been late once. My alarm didn't go off and I woke up 5 minutes after my shift started so I made a frantic phone call.
Someone I work with was just complaining about getting written up for being late too often. I've never even noticed her being late. But we have several people (CNAs and nurses) who are late every single day and nothing happens to them. The DON even warned one trainee that her preceptor is late every day. So it's not like they don't know about it. These are people who don't have children, school, or another job so I don't know what the excuse is.
Technically we are allowed to punch in 7 minutes before or after our shift has started but I think it's rude even if you're within the 7 minutes after. There are a group of people on 3rd shift that all show up before 11 o'clock but stand around by the time clock socializing, punch in at 11:07, then continue to take their sweet time getting up to the floors. On 3-11 I used to work with this girl that never showed up until 15 minutes after the hour- I don't know how she didn't get written up but it was very annoying because by then I'd already been there 20 minutes. I'd passed out all the linen and toileted who I could by myself, answered call lights etc and then she'd decide to show up and start questioning things she missed out on from report.
When you have more than one chronically late person on the same floor, the previous shift is forced to hang around and wait for them to show up. They don't get paid for that, and people have classes to attend, kids to pick up from school, or they just plain want to get the hell out of there! It's so, so rude to come in late all the time. I don't care if you have trouble moving your butt in the morning or your commute is crazy- these are things we all deal with and most of us find ways to manage without being inconsiderate of others.
I do staff development -- and those late folks walk into class 10-15 minutes late as if they own the place. The presentation has started ... and then the door opens and someone walks in and disrupts everything. Two minutes later, it happens again. It's maddening.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Lateness is something that really bothers me. Over the years, as I've seen that it's the SAME people, I've come to believe that it's a character flaw, rather than intentional rudeness. I mean, it's a trait, like being fidgety or biting one's nails. So I've become more forgiving and patient with the chronic late people.
I have the opposite character trait. I have OCDness that requires me to be at least 20 minutes early for everything or I get INCREDIBLY stressed out and sick to my stomach. I always keep a book in the car so that I can sit and read when I show up for appointments way early. I always show up for my work shift at about 1835 (the day shift loves me, I'm always ready for report at 1855).
I do staff development -- and those late folks walk into class 10-15 minutes late as if they own the place. The presentation has started ... and then the door opens and someone walks in and disrupts everything. Two minutes later, it happens again. It's maddening.
I agree - EXCEPT when you are supposed to do mandatory education on your shift. I once had to call a rapid response on a patient 5 minutes before my mandatory class started, had to find someone to cover for me for the time I would be away to class, and I got chewed out for arriving 10 minutes late. I would much rather schedule my own time off shift and get paid extra to come in -- on time!!
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
What brought this thread up. You don't work anymore right?
I think some people are prompt, some aren't, some even come in 1/2 hour early! Wouldn't do that myself! Some are neat, some are messy.
Don't worry, the late punches get called on the carpet with the computer big brother spitting out if you punch in a minute late. It will catch up at eval time if not sooner!
Ouch...I think that was harsh.....and I mean this in the kindest soft tones possible........
Whether or not she's presently working should not dictate what subject she chooses to talk about. To a life long nurse, who is not working NOT by her choice, really misses working. I know I miss it terribly and come here to talk about working to keep in touch with the profession I loved so much. I have been not working only for a short while but that doesn't dull my opinion nor my ability to answer questions and voice my opinion....talk about things that used to tick me off or perhaps pass on valuable knowledge that I have gained over the years seeking some affirmation or kudos that....I still got it.
To the OP :hug: I feel your pain. I miss not working too:crying2:.
I too don't get it with the lateness........ although I am one that slides in right as the clock strikes the hour;). I always tried to be sure to get there right at the hour because everytime I got to work early I ended working off the clock.......not that I don't like to help but "can you help me...." got to too much of a habit sometimes but I was always willing to work extra or stay late. I think chronic lateness shows a lack of respect for the facility, to me as the boss and to their peers, and frankly shows their overall work ethic. Some chroinc late arrivers, I found, were just flipping you the bird by saying "I come and go as I please, you will like it and you will put up with it....I'm running the show, I'm worth it!" Those don't stay long in my employ. The do have a character flaw.......the believe the are more important that anyone else.
I am late for work everyday almost. Most people do not know why I am late but I assume they think I just don't want to get here on time. I don't explain
my life to my co-workers and neither does my manager.
I told my manager when I was hired that I could not make it in to work at the normal time. My husband does not get off work in time for me to be at work on time and there is no one else to watch my child nor are the daycares in my area open that early.
There is a reason I am chronically late but I don't feel the need to share with my coworkers why. Management is aware and if anyone complains then that is who can take care of it. Lateness usually doesn't really bother me unless they are just being lazy. If they get the job done I could care less but then again no one is waiting on me to get to work before they can leave. It would bother me if I had to stay late to wait on someone else coming in late.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I am late for work everyday almost. Most people do not know why I am late but I assume they think I just don't want to get here on time. I don't explain
my life to my co-workers and neither does my manager.
I told my manager when I was hired that I could not make it in to work at the normal time. My husband does not get off work in time for me to be at work on time and there is no one else to watch my child nor are the daycares in my area open that early.
There is a reason I am chronically late but I don't feel the need to share with my coworkers why. Management is aware and if anyone complains then that is who can take care of it. Lateness usually doesn't really bother me unless they are just being lazy. If they get the job done I could care less but then again no one is waiting on me to get to work before they can leave. It would bother me if I had to stay late to wait on someone else coming in late.
You are every fortunate to have a boss willing to make such accomodations. I don't think you need to explain your personal life to your peers but and understanding that this is approved by the powers that be for whatever reason my help foster a more cohesive group.
Lilymom, I'm glad your manager is accommodating. But if you know you're going to be late every day, why not change the start and stop times for your shift to accommodate the co-worker on the other end of the equation?
i struggled with lateness for years when i worked in retail...looking back, i'm pretty sure it was because i hated my job and wasn't very happy overall with the state my life was in...now that i'm in nursing school (something i love doing), you bet your a** that i am never late to class/clinical. bottom line: chronic lateness is a choice (IMO). so when peers spit out excuse after excuse, i find myself very annoyed at them.
I agree and I don't think anyone has complained. They haven't asked me why I come in late but a lot of people around here talk about one another behind their backs so I just stay to myself most of the time. I agree I am very lucky I know most places are not like that.
I just get a little irked when people complain but they don't say anything to the offending person. If I have a problem with someone I ask them why they are late instead of complain to whoever will listen. No offense to the OP since it does not apply since she doesn't work. I just wanted to point out there may be a reason for lateness it's not just lazy people.
Lilymom, I'm glad your manager is accommodating. But if you know you're going to be late every day, why not change the start and stop times for your shift to accommodate the co-worker on the other end of the equation?
There is no one on the other end of the equation. I work in an office but some people will still get irritated because so and so shows up late everyday and nobody says anything to her. If there was someone waiting for me I would not have accepted the job.
If the oncoming charge nurse was late (very rare on that floor), I'd wait for her and go over report- she had to know (and wasn't time challenged). 
diva rn, BSN, RN
963 Posts
I am one of those who abhor lateness....I am always early...but that's just the way I am...It doesn't matter If it's for work or a doctor's appointment, I am there at least 15 minutes early....
If I am running late...which is very infrequent, I actually get feelings of panic start...I think in all of the years I have worked I have been late two times...and I called ahead and told them.
I am sorry, I just don't think there's an excuse for chronic lateness. It's rude to the offgoing staff. How do you feel when you are trying to get out of there after 12 hours and your replacement is late??
Figure it out and fix it. It's part of being a professional.