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Running late for work? We’ve all been late before, but sometimes, the real reason you’re late isn’t actually that good of an excuse. That’s where we’ve got you covered: we’ve got 20+ best excuses for being late to work that your boss will totally buy. Read through our list to pick out your favorite excuse today.
Things You Should Know
- Use an excuse like traffic or car troubles to explain why you’re late.
- Tell your boss you lost your car keys or had to spend time looking for your wallet or purse.
- Say that your pipes burst or you had another home-related emergency.
- Tell your boss that your pet was sick or got out, but that they’re fine now.
Steps
Email Template and Text Examples for Being Late to Work
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Tips
- Get in touch with your boss as soon as you know you’re going to be late. The quicker you tell them, the more they’ll appreciate your excuse.Thanks
- Try not to use excuses too often. After a couple of late mornings, your boss will probably stop being so forgiving. Do your best to stop running late and get to work on time.Thanks
- Don’t get too specific with your excuses. The more you explain your tardiness, the more it looks like you’re making things up on the spot.
- Never make this a habit, your boss will be upset at you.
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Warnings
- Lateness at work has consequences. At a minimum, your monthly salary can be docked for tardiness or unexcused absences. And if it happens repeatedly, you could be fired.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about work tips, check out our in-depth interview with Brandy DeOrnellas, PCC, ESQ. .
References
- ↑ https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/staff-handbook/absence-work
- ↑ https://appliedpsychologydegree.usc.edu/blog/reasons-why-some-people-are-always-late-to-work
- ↑ https://ptt.edu/common-car-troubles-automotive-technicians-can-fix-under-an-hour/
- ↑ https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/traffic-jams-no-1-reason-people-late-work
- ↑ https://ptt.edu/common-car-troubles-automotive-technicians-can-fix-under-an-hour/
- ↑ https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/travelling-work-bad-weather
- ↑ https://www.stonybrook.edu/employee-labor-relations/counseling/lateness
- ↑ https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/minds-business/too-late-to-apologize-unless-you-have-an-excuse-too.html
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/hide-and-seek/201406/the-psychology-of-lateness
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/general/sick/
- ↑ https://www.aarp.org/work/careers/reasons-for-being-late-fd/
- ↑ https://www.aarp.org/work/careers/reasons-for-being-late-fd/
- ↑ https://www.heart.org/en/news/2023/12/19/the-dos-and-donts-to-help-you-get-better-and-protect-others-when-you-have-a-virus
- ↑ https://intermountainhealthcare.org/-/media/files-sc9/eap/employee---robbery.ashx
- ↑ https://intermountainhealthcare.org/-/media/files-sc9/eap/employee---robbery.ashx
- ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/workplacebasics/taking-leave/1/
- ↑ https://www.apa.org/topics/families/grief
About This Article
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