Employee returning late from holiday

[57U]

Hi All

What would be your response to a member of staff returning to work late from a holiday, he says his flight was delayed and that he didn't get home until 5 this morning. Was meant to start work at 8 am and has only just replied to my message asking where are you, at 10.00 am ? " I slept in "

Am i right to be a tad annoyed by this ?

No apology offered by the way.

Thanks

 

[Ashley_Price]

My first thought is what is the person like normally in his work?

Flights being delayed do happen - can he show proof of this?

Yes, you are right to be a tad annoyed if he didn't contact you until you contacted him, but it is how you proceed. If he is normally a good worker, then mention that he could have at least contacted you as soon as he realised there was a problem and ask him to do this should it happen again.

But of course the difficulty is if the flight was delayed, I guess his mobile could have run out of charge, and therefore wasn't able to text you. When he gets in he plugs the mobile into the charger and of course goes to bed.

Has this happened before?

I doubt there is anything you can do with regards to any sort of formal warning, unless this becomes a regular occurrence (which he can't then back up with proof).

 

[Newchodge]

You are entitled to be a tad annoyed, but what do you think he should have done, apart from apologise?

 

[57U]

Thanks for the replies.

He's usually good at his job, late now and then etc, the holiday was booked at the last minute by a "friend" apparently, it was originally 1 week which I agreed to but then became 2 weeks. So that annoyed the hell out of me in the first instance. Maybe I'm too soft with them, but it's hard to distance myself from them when it's such a small business (4 staff)

Newchodge

I think he should have informed me via whatever means possible, I.E, he says he had no internet signal. I didn't realise sms texts where no longer in use or only worked via the internet it's a poor excuse.

 

[Newchodge]

Thanks for the replies.

He's usually good at his job, late now and then etc, the holiday was booked at the last minute by a "friend" apparently, it was originally 1 week which I agreed to but then became 2 weeks. So that annoyed the hell out of me in the first instance. Maybe I'm too soft with them, but it's hard to distance myself from them when it's such a small business (4 staff)

Newchodge

I think he should have informed me via whatever means possible, I.E, he says he had no internet signal. I didn't realise sms texts where no longer in use or only worked via the internet it's a poor excuse.

In that case, when you are feeling calm about it, sit him down and explain exactly why you are disappointed in him, The original extension, the lateness and particularly the failure to notify - some employees may not have a mobile number to send a text message, but he obviously has.

 

[57U]

That's great advice, Thank you

 

[MBE2017]

Might be worth checking if the flight was late, if not then you probably have more problems heading your way in the future.

 

[obscure]

Might be worth checking if the flight was late, if not then you probably have more problems heading your way in the future.

How so? If the flight wasn't late that means the employee not only failed to come to work but then lied. They get the sack for that and no more problems in the future.

 

[MBE2017]

How so? If the flight wasn't late that means the employee not only failed to come to work but then lied. They get the sack for that and no more problems in the future.

That was the point. If the employee is lying it tends become a habit. I would agree with sacking if that turned out to be true.

 

[57U]

Hi all,

An update on the above. The employee has came back to work and all seemed fine until I carried out an inspection of a property that they had "worked" at the day before.

The standard of work was appalling to the point I had to spend some time rectifying it.

So I have come to the conclusion that enough is enough and will cut my losses.