Employers are paying more attention to the timekeeping of their staff and are willing to take action, according to a survey.
Research from Career Builder UK revealed that 39 per cent of UK bosses are focusing on the issue, with 15 per cent willing to sack workers who had been late for their job just two to three times.
However, James Carmody, an employment law specialist and principal at Reculver Solicitors argued that many cases of tardiness in the workplace should not warrant disciplinary procedures being taken by managers, despite there being legal grounds for dismissal.
He said: “It is important, though, to be consistent with staff, and it may well be unfair to discipline one person for lateness, but to let someone else get away with it.”
Indeed, the expert noted that many employers are aware that occasional issues with punctuality are inevitable and that employees are willing to work more hours without additional financial reward.
By Hayley Edwards
at work they never used to mind lateness an i had possible 7 over the 12 months. then a new boss came in and so i made sure it changed so as to not antagonise him. then upon bein asked to switch shifts alot some to leave an return 8 hours later i had another 10 or so as i was doin this for about 8 weeks then i got taken into the office a few weeks later an issued a final written waring from having none at the time because they had counted up all the latenesses goin back to the date of the meeting last year not i am facing dissmissal because i forgot to clock in earlier this week. they constatnyl monitor me ceause i am the youngest person there by at about 5 years and have tattoes and the general image not assosiated within the factory enviroment, i recently came back off a 2 week un-paid suspension because i did not ring in to work sick when i had to rush my girlfriend into hospital wh was 18 weeks pregnant an has sever cramping an bleeding. its like they saved it all up an started the ball rolling an since the first meeting i have had at least 1 a week the most recent i got given 3 minuted notice before hand. i know my opinion on this is going to be biased but it seems they should have started by just sayin new boss new rules, sort it out.