It doesn’t matter whether you’ve set your alarm, got your bag already packed, and laid out your clothes for the day. Sometimes, fate will intervene at the last minute and you will find yourself running late for work.
Good reasons why you might be late to work include getting stuck in a traffic jam, having to attend to a sick family member, getting pulled over by the police, and due to bad weather.
Knowing some good valid reasons for being late to work you can use if you find yourself running late to work can save you a lot of headaches. And with the help of a set of simple guidelines when you do eventually make it to work, you can most likely avoid any unnecessary penalties for being late to work.
Top Reasons for Being Late to Work (According to Study)
According to a study performed by over 3,400 employees, the top five reasons people are late to work are traffic, oversleeping, bad weather, too tired, and procrastination.
- Traffic: 49%
- Oversleeping: 32%
- Bad weather: 26%
- Too tired: 25%
- Procrastination: 17%
However, when looking at the different types of people who are late to work, it is evident that there are different reasons for being late for different people.
For example, women are more likely than men to be late due to running late for an appointment, while men are more likely than women to be late due to being sick.
What Are The Best Reasons to Go Into Work Late
Good reasons for being late to work can include things like illness, traffic, or a family emergency. However, not providing a good reason can lead to disciplinary action, such as a loss of pay or a reduction in hours.
If you are running late to work and don’t have a good reason, consider explaining the situation using some of these valid reasons for being late to work.
1. You got stuck in a traffic jam
According to the 2019 Global Traffic Scorecard, drivers lost more than $88 billion due to tailbacks (slow-moving traffic) and traffic jams. This figure equates to just under 150 hours lost per driver per year in some of America’s largest cities.
The daily commute can be a slog at the best of times, but when you encounter a traffic jam that makes you late for work, it can be infuriating.
When you do eventually make it to work, make sure you let your colleagues know that tomorrow you’ll make sure you leave the house earlier.
2. Your car broke down
Car trouble is a hassle at the best of times, but if your car breaks down while you’re driving, you have the extra drama of having to call for a tow truck, organize repairs and then get on your way.
You’re likely to get a fair amount of sympathy if you still make it into work despite the fuss of a broken-down car.
3. You were pulled over by the police
In the United States, police pull over around 50,000 drivers every day. That’s a whopping 20 million motorists each year!
Being pulled over by the police is never pleasant, but there are many reasons why the people in blue might want to stop you for a chat. These include:
- You have a broken taillight or indicator
- Your number plate is obscured
- You are being subjected to a random drug or alcohol test
Of course, if you were speeding or went through a red light, there’s little chance you will elicit much sympathy amongst your coworkers.
4. You had to find a last-minute babysitter
If you don’t use regular childcare services, organizing last-minute care can be challenging, especially if your little person is ill.
If your profession s not possible to work from home safely and productively while you care for a sick child, you will have to organize alternative arrangements.
Making a few phone calls will take time, as will waiting for the babysitter to come to your house. This can be a valid excuse why you are being late for work.
Otherwise, some parents who can work remotely may want to set up remote working arrangements with their boss, so that they can take care of their children. Other parents may opt to take a week off work or ask to leave work early to take care of their child.
5. A family member needs care
According to a 2020 report published by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP Public Policy Institute, over 53 million Americans provide care for their relatives and friends.
Sometimes, you might find yourself having to step in to help when the nurse or paid carer is not available or are themselves running late for work.
This can be a valid reason why you want to take a half-day at work, be slightly late for work, or even request to leave work early.
6. Your cat went missing
There are a few things more stressful than losing a pet, especially if your furry friend is not used to being out of the house. Taking the time to find your missing cat might make you late for work, but it will give you peace of mind.
7. You were ill
We have all suffered from acute but short-lasting illnesses such as a migraine, chesty coughs, or stomach aches. While they might keep us tied up for an hour or so, they shouldn’t keep us debilitated for the whole day.
If you’re swamped at work or really don’t want to have to take a day’s sick leave, head into work once you’re feeling better.
8. You had to call a repair person
Some repairs such as a sticking door or uneven floorboard are not urgent. There are, however, many types of repairs that must be done straight away such as:
- A gushing water pipe
- A gas leak
- A tripping electricity circuit
In these instances, you will have to wait at home for the tradesperson to come and fix the problem before it is safe to leave the house.
9. You couldn’t find your keys
We’ve all had this problem, whether it’s due to our own forgetfulness or because someone else in the house moved them.
Being late for work is never fun, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. When you can’t find your keys, not being late becomes even harder. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make it through your day without missing a beat.
If you always have the problem of couldn’t find your keys.
- Set a designated location where you can place your keys.
- Attach your keys to a key chain.
- Attach your keys to something you always won’t forget to bring, such as your phone or wallet.
10. There was a snap public transport strike
When transport workers strike for better pay and working conditions, there’s little you can do other than find alternative transport arrangements. If the strike is a last-minute affair, you and your fellow commuters might have to wait for your turn in a taxi or rideshare vehicle, which will make you late for work.
There’s a good chance that some, if not all, of your colleagues, were also caught out, so you can commiserate together.
11. The doctor’s appointment when over time
Doctors are notoriously bad at keeping to their assigned appointment times.
Even if you schedule your appointment first thing in the morning to avoid being late for work, there’s every likelihood that you will spend a significant amount of time in the waiting room.
12. You were called into school
Parents dread the call from school because it’s more likely to be a problem than not.
However, parental duties cannot be denied and if a trip to school makes you late for work, there’s nothing you can do to avoid it.
13. You were burgled
Each year, an average of 2.5 million burglaries occur throughout the United States and around 65% are domestic home break-ins.
Experiencing a burglary can be unsettling and scary. It is also a hassle because you have to file a police report and call your insurance. Attending to these details will take time and cause you to be late for work.
14. You had a bingle in the car
Depending on the severity of the car accident, you might need to involve the police before you can be on your way. This takes time, as does filling out the appropriate paperwork, organizing a tow, and calling your insurance provider.
If there is still time in the day after all of that, you can make your way to work.
15. The reason is personal
It’s more than likely that your supervisor expects a detailed explanation for your lateness. However, if it is a personal matter, you do not have to divulge the reason if it makes you uncomfortable.
For example, you might have:
- Had an argument with your partner
- Had a spot of diarrhea
- Been experiencing menstrual cramps
- Scratched your car along the fence as you drove out of the driveway
What to do when you eventually get to work
There’s no denying that when you arrive late to work, you should have a good excuse ready to go. This list will help you in that regard. You should also try to adhere to the following tips so that your boss won’t get angry or your colleagues resentful because of your tardiness.
Call ahead
If you’re running late because of an incident at home, take the time to call work and let them know that you won’t make it on time. Giving them a heads up is a matter of courtesy and will give them time to replace you while you’re away.
Of course, this might not be possible if you are delayed during your commute.
Apologize to everyone
When you’re late for work, the burden will most likely fall on your colleagues to take up the slack. Not only is it a good idea to apologize to your boss and explain why you’re late, but you should also personally apologize to whichever colleagues had to cover for you.
You can also make it up to them by:
- Getting them a nice cup of coffee or tea
- Buying them lunch
- Offering to make it up to them by covering an unwanted shift or working late
Account for yourself
Make the point of going to your boss or supervisor and explaining why you’re late. Even if your excuse is not on this list, you should confess honestly and promise that it won’t happen again if you can help it.
Make it up to your colleagues
Even if your workplace procedures don’t require it, it’s a good idea to make up for your mistake. This might mean working late to catch up on the time you missed or offering to cover for a colleague who had to step in when you were late.
Not only will this smooth over any feelings of resentment, but it will make people less angry if you manage to be late for work again in the future.
Be honest
It doesn’t matter whether you slept through your alarm or twisted your ankle tripping over the garden hose, your best bet is, to be honest.
Why do you need a good reason for being late for work?
Lateness can have a ripple effect on an individual’s work schedule. By arriving late, an individual may miss critical information that is disseminated at the beginning of the day or may fall behind on their work.
Additionally, lateness can impact the co-workers of the individual who are forced to cover for them. Often lateness communicates a lack of professionalism and respect for others.
But there are many reasons why someone might be late to work, and most of the time, it is not within your control.
Thus, if you are going to be late for work, whether you are running late because of a traffic jam or because you overslept, you’ll need a valid reason that is acceptable to your coworkers.
If you are running late, be sure to call your boss and let them know.
They will appreciate your honesty and understanding. Most of the time, there will not be an issue if your reason is valid and if you make an active effort to change for the better.
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