Why does the manager sometimes make a big deal out of tardies?

Question

Why does the manager make a big deal out of people being 10 minutes late when the time clock does not count you tardy until after 15 minutes? I was late a few days and I didn't get in trouble but I got a lecture even though the time clock system does not count you late until after 15 minutes! I was scheduled to be at work from 1:30 to 10:30pm but I clocked in at 1:43 and I got lectured, but according to the system. I have zero tardies. This makes no sense. You don't get written unless the system reports 3 tardies. The system should be the judge. My other co-workers got chewed out yesterday for this, but they got into serious trouble. I have up until 1:44 to clock in! Why do they do this?

Answer 1

Let's say you're scheduled to work 1:30 to 10:30 pm for 5 days.  Taking out an hour for lunch, that's a 40-hour week.

Now let's say you come in all 5 of those days at 1:43.  That's 13 minutes, times 5 days.  A total of one hour and 5 minutes when you were scheduled to work but you weren't there.  Granted, you didn't get paid for it, but that isn't the issue.  The issue is that your company has the absolute right to set work hours and to expect everyone to be on time every day, barring unforeseen and uncontrollable events.  

If you came in at exactly 1:30 every day, would you then arbitrarily select one day each week to take an extra hour and 5 minutes at lunch time?  Coming in a few minutes late is no different than taking a long lunch, or leaving early.

Bottom line?  You have assigned tasks that you are supposed to begin at 1:30.  Other people may be waiting on you to finish your tasks so they can continue with the next step of a process.  When you're late, everyone who is depending on you is held up.  Someone else may actually have to begin your daily work for you, since your boss doesn't know if you're just late or if you aren't coming in at all.  

Some companies are lenient about hours.  Other companies make a fuss.  Still other companies make it a MAJOR BIG DEAL when someone is late.  You obviously work for this last type of company.  Now you know.  If your work hours begin at 1:30, you are expected to be in the building, got your coffee, been to the restroom, said your hellos, and at your desk/work station and ready to work at 1:30.  Not 1:35 or 1:43.

Answer 2

because if the manager doesn't say anything... how are they going to feel superior at the end of the day... i think when they get attention from the whole crew working there, and making u look bad, they feel superior but as u say... if they really need you they wont mark u absent... these managers have nothing better to do then use their egos on ppl who come late...

Answer 3

Have you ever heard of work place ethics? Research it please before you have children and teach them your bad habits.

Answer 4

Ok, so you walk in a Mcdonalds and you are starving. You make the order and the lady says it will be out in a moment. Meaning, 30 seconds to 3 minutes.

Yet it does not come to YOU for 15 Minutes.

You say to her "YOU said YOU would be there at a certain time. Get over yourself and be on time...

By the way you cant be serious with this question.

Answer 5

One word: Reliability.

They hire you to be able to count on you for the job at a specific time.

If you show signs you are not reliable to commit to a schedule, then maybe you are not worth what they pay you.

Answer 6

Because you were late...keep it up and you'll find yourself looking for another job.  Just because the clock doesn't report the lateness until 15 minutes late doesn't mean you are being a responsible employee.

Answer 7

Tell your union rep, that should fix the problem.

Answer 8

It's rude to other employees to come in late, even though you aren't counted tardy until 15 minutes after you're scheduled.

I know at my work, it's very annoying to have someone come in late because other employees want to leave on time - they may have somewhere to be, a bus to catch, may be super tired, etc.  

It's not so much about the actual tardies as it is about being respectful of the workplace and your co-workers.

The 15 minute-before-a-tardy rule is more like a safety net (not the right phrase, but it will work) for people who might get stuck by a train, get in an accident, get stuck in traffic, etc.  Don't use the 15 minute rule as a way of just coming in late because you want to.

Answer 9

i guess a good manager cares.  im a bad manager, i dont care if the employees are late, the moneys coming outta THEIR paycheck...

Answer 10

because thats 10mins that they have to pay you for that you didnt work!!