Can they let me go?

Melisandre121

I started my job in November and even though I'm doing well I've been late a few times now and I'm terrified I'm going to lose my job.

Can they let me go during the 6 month probation period without warning or is there procedures that need to be followed?

ASOT

Melisandre121 wrote: »

I started my job in November and even though I'm doing well I've been late a few times now and I'm terrified I'm going to lose my job.

Can they let me go during the 6 month probation period without warning or is there procedures that need to be followed?

During the probation they don't need a reason to let you go, I'd concentrate on being on time for the next few months.

Captain Chaos

Yes you can be let go during a probation period without warning, that's probation for you.

Being late is a big no no when you are only fresh in the door. I'd be very careful.

Ursus Horribilis

By "a few times now" what do you mean? How many? 5? 10?

vandriver

Why have you been late,and what have you done to address this?

Melisandre121

vandriver wrote: »

Why have you been late,and what have you done to address this?

I've missed my bus in the mornings to be honest. I've tried my hardest to be on time but some mornings I just really struggle. I'm so worried I'm going to lose this job

Melisandre121

Should I sit down with my manager and apologise? I'm actually really anxious about this

davo10

Melisandre121 wrote: »

I started my job in November and even though I'm doing well I've been late a few times now and I'm terrified I'm going to lose my job.

Can they let me go during the 6 month probation period without warning or is there procedures that need to be followed?

Not only can they let you go without reason, but if they decide to keep you, your probation period can be extended up to 12 months.

Mrs OBumble

Melisandre121 wrote: »

Should I sit down with my manager and apologise? I'm actually really anxious about this

Not now, you should have apologised at the time.

Frankly, your manager doesn't want to hear excuses, they want to see it not happening.

seamus

Melisandre121 wrote: »

Should I sit down with my manager and apologise? I'm actually really anxious about this

Is being late really that big a deal though?

Are you working shift work, or serving customers, or having to unlock doors/open up?

Has anyone actually said anything to you about being late, or made you sign into a "late book" (I had a job which had one of those), or does nobody even blink?

Are your hours completely fixed (i.e. 9-5), or do most people occasionally start or finish earlier/later.

As a manager I wouldn't really care if an employee turned up five or ten minutes late a couple of times so long as their job wasn't time-bound and it was clear they weren't just punching a clock.

It's easy to get spooked during your probation because you feel like you're not contributing.

You're 4 months in now, which is actually a perfect time to sit down with your boss and ask for feedback on whether he thinks there's anything you should address coming up to the end of probation. Don't mention the late thing unless he does.

vandriver

Time management is a skill to be learned.
Are you getting up at the last minute and rushing?
Could you have everything organised the night before?
You also need to think about weather and day of the week as they affect the traffic.
Could you get a much earlier bus and grab a coffee near work?
Are you getting enough sleep? (I feel very old asking that question!)

davo10

seamus wrote: »

Is being late really that big a deal though?

Are you working shift work, or serving customers, or having to unlock doors/open up?

Has anyone actually said anything to you about being late, or made you sign into a "late book" (I had a job which had one of those), or does nobody even blink?

Are your hours completely fixed (i.e. 9-5), or do most people occasionally start or finish earlier/later.

As a manager I wouldn't really care if an employee turned up five or ten minutes late a couple of times so long as their job wasn't time-bound and it was clear they weren't just punching a clock.

Most employers get annoyed by repeated tardiness, and managers who turn a blind eye, especially during probation when the attitude and aptitude of the probationer is being assessed.

JustShon

If you're missing your bus then you need to aim for an earlier bus. Better to show up early and sit there having a coffee or whatever than potentially show up late.

Ursus Horribilis

The late thing does depend on the employer. We don't deal with the public in my office but there is still something in our staff handbook about lates. I can't remember the exact details now but you can get a formal warning for being late only a handful of times. I'm not a morning person at all - lots of people aren't. But you just have to get info the habit of getting up and going to work. I've found that going to bed and getting up at much the same time every day has helped enormously. Are you going to bed too late? Also, having everything ready to go from the night before also helps. Really, all you can do now is change your ways and come in early or on time.

screamer

Being late is a problem for your co workers who are there on time everyday. If they become disgruntled it'll be a problem for your boss. TBH on probation you should be showing off a shining example of yourself. If I had an employee like this (and I did) id think this is their attitude when only newly in the door what will they be like when passed probation...... they'd not be wondering if they could be gotten rid of they'd be gone already.

Ice Maiden

Melisandre121 wrote: »

I've missed my bus in the mornings to be honest. I've tried my hardest to be on time but some mornings I just really struggle. I'm so worried I'm going to lose this job

As someone who finds it hard to get to sleep early and hard to get up, I understand somewhat, but objectively, this is literally no excuse in the workplace. Go to sleep earlier and set your alarm for earlier.

mitresize5

Repeated lateness is a serious issue.

I assume all your colleagues make it to work on time. Continued lateness shows a lack of respect for your colleagues and your manager.

Get out of bed on time in the morning or expect to be looking for a new job

Melisandre121

Melisandre121 wrote: »

I started my job in November and even though I'm doing well I've been late a few times now and I'm terrified I'm going to lose my job.

Can they let me go during the 6 month probation period without warning or is there procedures that need to be followed?

Have you taken sick days also?

sbsquarepants

There are very few employers who don't have a major bee in their bonnet about timekeeping. You're just going to have to get your shít together in time, especially if you're dealing with public transport you need to factor in a bit of extra time to deal with unforeseen delays etc. You should aim to arrive 10 or 15 minutes early, not 1 second before you start just in case something goes wrong, especially while you're on probation!
You already know al this or you wouldn't be worried.
As an example, where I work is a fairly easy going, they've taken on maybe 50 extra people in the past year on probation and let at least a dozen of them go over time keeping and missing days. No employer has time for employees who can't manage to drag their arses out of bed in the morning!

Ice Maiden

While I agree it's poor form to be repeatedly late (whether the company is ok with it or not) and I am a bit "wtf?!" in relation to the sole reason being "I find it hard to get up", no point in scaremongering that she's definitely gonna be let go. We don't know that. The company might not mind enough to let her go. She could be doing so well that the company might be lenient on the lates thing (not a reason not to be on time though).
Have they said anything about it? You could ask for a mid probation review.

tupac_healy

vandriver wrote:

Time management is a skill to be learned. Are you getting up at the last minute and rushing? Could you have everything organised the night before? You also need to think about weather and day of the week as they affect the traffic. Could you get a much earlier bus and grab a coffee near work? Are you getting enough sleep? (I feel very old asking that question!)

Never a truer word spoken...

I start work at 7.35, 3 12.5 hour shifts per week, have kids, football, gym etc... make lunches night before and up at 6 every morn as need to be in before 7 to get parking...

Time management

JustShon

Ice Maiden wrote: »

While I agree it's poor form to be repeatedly late (whether the company is ok with it or not) and I am a bit "wtf?!" in relation to the sole reason being "I find it hard to get up", no point in scaremongering that she's definitely gonna be let go. We don't know that. The company might not mind enough to let her go. She could be doing so well that the company might be lenient on the lates thing (not a reason not to be on time though).
Have they said anything about it? You could ask for a mid probation review.

Yeah it's not a "definitely fired" situation but to be honest if she's late again it could be. If I were OP I'd avoid being late for the entire rest of the probation period by whatever means necessary.

Laura_A

It really depends on the office culture - Where I work its completely normal for people to arrive at any time up to 10/10:30 (we work 9-5:30) and for people to leave from 4:30 if they some in early... Its really not monitored. On the other hand my previous office was 8:30-5:30 and when I moved apartment and it took me a few days to find the right bus to get to work on time I got in between 8:30 and 8:40 and I was called up on it (had been with the company 2 years and was regularly working 12 hour days and from home on weekends) - they were just sticklers for being on time. It really varies from one company to another so without knowing the culture and if everyone is late occasionally or if its just you then can't really give an opinion... As a previous poster mentioned have you taken any sick days? This would generally be a bigger red flag in some companies...

irelandrover

Laura_A wrote: »

It really depends on the office culture - Where I work its completely normal for people to arrive at any time up to 10/10:30 (we work 9-5:30) and for people to leave from 4:30 if they some in early... Its really not monitored. On the other hand my previous office was 8:30-5:30 and when I moved apartment and it took me a few days to find the right bus to get to work on time I got in between 8:30 and 8:40 and I was called up on it (had been with the company 2 years and was regularly working 12 hour days and from home on weekends) - they were just sticklers for being on time. It really varies from one company to another so without knowing the culture and if everyone is late occasionally or if its just you then can't really give an opinion... As a previous poster mentioned have you taken any sick days? This would generally be a bigger red flag in some companies...

The offices where i work would be the same. However I think it is also important to be on time when you are on probation. A manager will notice if someone is frequently late on probation as people tend to get worse once they are off it.

Also, OP, do you leave on time every day or do you work back a few minutes. If you are late in the morning do you still leave at the same time.

StudentDad

Yes, be on time. It shows commitment etc. If an employer sees someone being consistently late (probationary period aside) when it comes to promotion down the line they'll be loathe to hand it to someone who can't be where they're supposed to be on time.

As an aside what drives me daft are people who are always on time but do next to f-all when they are actually 'at work.'

SD

Technocentral

What is the quality of your work most importantly? Showing up early doesn't mean anything in itself, its totally over rated. I worked in places where people came in an hour before everyone else and they were useless. Also can you not stay on working for the extra time you were late?

Ice Maiden

I'd never bother coming in early for the sake of it - martyrdom imo. But I don't think people are saying coming in early should be the aim, just being on time.

Ice Maiden

Laura_A wrote: »

It really depends on the office culture - Where I work its completely normal for people to arrive at any time up to 10/10:30 (we work 9-5:30) and for people to leave from 4:30 if they some in early... Its really not monitored.

I worked in a setup like that (public sector!) and a lot of people would fall behind in their work and the place was crazily haphazard. People would take ridiculously long tea-breaks top. Feck all got done by a lot of people.

Although fair enough if everyone's getting their work done.

Ursus Horribilis

Ice Maiden wrote: »

I'd never bother coming in early for the sake of it - martyrdom imo. But I don't think people are saying coming in early should be the aim, just being on time.

While there's merit in what you're saying, I think the OP would be better off aiming to be early. At least then, there's margin for error if she misses her bus. Really, if this is a situation that needs to be pulled out of the fire, she needs to start coming in earlier than she has been doing. None of us knows how fussy her employers are about punctuality but she is drawing fire upon herself by coming in late. Like it or not, some employers are incredibly anal when it comes to timekeeping. We don't know whether the OP's employers are one of those. Hopefully for her sake they aren't. If they are, it's a hard lesson learned..

markpb

Ice Maiden wrote:

I worked in a setup like that (public sector!) and a lot of people would fall behind in their work and the place was crazily haphazard. People would take ridiculously long tea-breaks top. Feck all got done by a lot of people.

I think you're confusing two separate things. A companies approach to working hours and their approach to work are not the same. Plenty of companies, especially in IT, offer extremely flexible working hours but a good manager will ensure that the work gets done.

Ice Maiden

Odus fell down wrote: »

While there's merit in what you're saying, I think the OP would be better off aiming to be early. At least then, there's margin for error if she misses her bus. Really, if this is a situation that needs to be pulled out of the fire, she needs to start coming in earlier than she has been doing. None of us knows how fussy her employers are about punctuality but she is drawing fire upon herself by coming in late. Like it or not, some employers are incredibly anal when it comes to timekeeping. We don't know whether the OP's employers are one of those. Hopefully for her sake they aren't. If they are, it's a hard lesson learned..

Oh she should get up earlier, for the bus that gets her there on time - but I wouldn't see a point in getting an earlier bus than that.

JimiTime

seamus wrote: »

Is being late really that big a deal though?

Are you working shift work, or serving customers, or having to unlock doors/open up?

Has anyone actually said anything to you about being late, or made you sign into a "late book" (I had a job which had one of those), or does nobody even blink?

Are your hours completely fixed (i.e. 9-5), or do most people occasionally start or finish earlier/later.

As a manager I wouldn't really care if an employee turned up five or ten minutes late a couple of times so long as their job wasn't time-bound and it was clear they weren't just punching a clock.

It's easy to get spooked during your probation because you feel like you're not contributing.

You're 4 months in now, which is actually a perfect time to sit down with your boss and ask for feedback on whether he thinks there's anything you should address coming up to the end of probation. Don't mention the late thing unless he does.

Huge Kudos to you in this! There are some that have a 'computer says no' attitude to lateness, and it boggles the mind. Its great to see someone who still asks the relevant questions in relation to it. I have worked in companies where negligence, bad attitude etc go un-noticed, but a really good guy arriving in 10 minutes late a few times and they lose their mind. I always employed a 'whats the work like and is it effected' policy regarding lateness.

bored_stupid

Would stay off facebook twitter when in or going to bed on work nights ask famaliy and friends not to text or ring after serting time of night unless its an emergency .

Set your alarm on your phone on a weekly setting in case you forget some nights or might nod off .

Your manager may understand missing the bus now and again even when the bus just drives by your stop half full [feckers ] but you don,t want your workmates to start talking about you been late as this is what i,d be worried about as your manager will be asking your workmate for feedback on how your getting on in work .

If in dublin try work out bus times give yourself extra time /use buses free wifi aswell .
http://www.dublinbus.ie/Your-Journey1/Timetables/

vetinari

Completely depends on the work culture at the company.
If you're not customer facing or have time specific appointments, it shouldn't matter too much.

Like someone else mentioned, it can be annoying to see people place a lot of focus on timekeeping (primarily because it's easy to measure) but a lot less focus on output at work (because it's harder to measure).

livedadream

its one of those things that some people care about and some dont.

I work in HR and while I wouldnt think of sacking you straight away i know the way these things can go,

I'd view it long term:

1: are you bugging people who are on time and early even that have worked here for a while and think your taking liberties.

2: is it a sign of something else, sickness, trouble at home, laziness, attitude to work (do you not really want to be there)

3. is it effecting the business: apart from how I view you (personally I think being late shows disrespect but that's a personal view) and how other staff view you above 1. Are you not meeting customers on time, is it your time management, organisation skills or interest in the role. are you getting your work done on time and in the right way.

Unfortunately its common for companies to use your timekeeping as the reason to let you go during your probation if they dont like the cut of you, if your making ab ad impression or if they think your not going to work out.

To be harsh about it if your manager is like some of the ones i've worked with they will view you as:

lazy, couldn't give a fcuk, poor attitude to work and un-organised. How effectively you do the actual role might not come into it because they will pick on you not being at your desk when you should be.

on a more positive note: your manager might also not care.

your probation is to show you can do the role and fit in with the company.

Try to make up the time you are late.

One thing i would as and this is total personal: you didnt mention how late you are- strolling in at 9:02 is one thing but strolling in at 9:15 etc is taking the mickey.
FYI Id prefer to see someone sprinting in to their desk late then strolling in with a cup of starbucks late.

Best of luck with it.