Q&A for How to Apologize for Being Late to Work

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What to say when you're late to work?

Brandy DeOrnellas, PCC, ESQ.
Career Coach
Brandy DeOrnellas is a Professional Certified Coach specializing in life and career aspirations and transitions. She also serves company founders and small business owners. She is a former attorney with more than three years of experience as a coach. Brandy holds a JD from Harvard Law School. She also holds a BA in Social Welfare and a BA in Political Science from The University of California, Berkeley. In addition to her formal education, she has multiple coaching certifications, including a Professional Coaching Certification from The University of California, Davis, and a Relationship Coach Certification from Prepare/Enrich. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation.

Brandy DeOrnellas, PCC, ESQ.

Career Coach

Expert Answer

Be sincere. Alarm broke? Car wouldn’t start? Accidentally overslept? Toddler tantrums? Assuming the issue isn’t a frequent occurrence, your employer will understand.

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What can I say instead of sorry I'm late?

Brandy DeOrnellas, PCC, ESQ.
Career Coach
Brandy DeOrnellas is a Professional Certified Coach specializing in life and career aspirations and transitions. She also serves company founders and small business owners. She is a former attorney with more than three years of experience as a coach. Brandy holds a JD from Harvard Law School. She also holds a BA in Social Welfare and a BA in Political Science from The University of California, Berkeley. In addition to her formal education, she has multiple coaching certifications, including a Professional Coaching Certification from The University of California, Davis, and a Relationship Coach Certification from Prepare/Enrich. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation.

Brandy DeOrnellas, PCC, ESQ.

Career Coach

Expert Answer

If you have a personal reason for being late, for instance, a difficult argument with a loved one or a hard mental health day, just share what you feel comfortable sharing. Whatever you share, be honest. Your boss, like all people, values honesty.

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Where can I find sample apology letters for being late to work?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You can check out the sample letters with this article, or do a search to find examples online. Use search terms like “sample apology letter late for work.”

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Is traffic an excuse for being late?

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wikiHow Staff Editor

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If you find yourself regularly running late because of ordinary traffic delays, such as rush hour traffic jams, then that probably means you need to plan on leaving earlier. Check the traffic reports ahead of time so you know what to expect. However, sometimes unexpected things can happen that are impossible to plan for, like major accidents or unexpected detours. If that happens, call ahead and let your boss know what’s going on if you can.

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How many minutes can you be late for work?

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wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

It depends on your employer. Some employers grant a specific grace period (such as 5-7 minutes) before writing up an employee for tardiness, while others are more or less strict. Consult your employee handbook or talk to your supervisor if you’re not sure what their policy on lateness is.

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What if you are over an hour late on your second day of work?

Community Answer

Explain your reasons, and be honest. Offer to stay late to make up for the time you missed.

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Why is it important to apologize for being late?

Community Answer

Because employers hire you to do a specific job during specific hours, and if you are late, it is an inconvenience to your coworkers and can be seen as disrespectful to management, unless you apologize and try not to let it happen again.

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