Late for meetings or work events? How this bad habit can hurt your career

Here’s what you’re missing due to your late arrival. 

Missed opportunities to collaborate and contribute

Consistently arriving late to meetings or events deprives you of opportunities to participate in discussions and contribute to decisions and collaborative efforts, said Hanson. 

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“When people are late, they not only miss out on crucial information but also fail to provide their insights and expertise, which could impact the outcomes of the meeting or project,” she noted.  

Your lack of input can diminish your ability to contribute to the team’s success and may result in your ideas being overlooked or disregarded, she also indicated. 

“Moreover, your absence during critical discussions can lead to uninformed decisions or a lack of innovation and problem-solving,” added Hanson. 

“Habitual lateness can have a negative impact on an employee’s reputation.”

It’s a company focused on AI-powered, 360-degree hybrid videoconferencing solutions.

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Weishaupt said at Owl Labs, employees are expected to be on time and prepared. 

“To encourage this, meeting leaders circulate agendas in advance so attendees can pre-read the discussion topics and come prepared with ideas,” he said. 

“We also do a biannual calendar cleanse, where we step back, look at what we have recurring, determine the necessity of the meeting and adjust accordingly.”

How can an employer approach an employee about habitual lateness?

Having employees show up consistently late for meetings or work events can have a detrimental effect on business. 

Employers should have best practices in place to confront this type of employee, experts said. 

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The most professional way to handle a discussion about an individual’s lateness is privately. 

“To avoid public embarrassment, employers should address tardiness with employees privately and not make comments during a meeting in front of colleagues, etc.,” said Sarah Doody, a career expert and the founder of Career Strategy Lab in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Employers should go into the discussion with a desire to gather all the context about the situation, she said, so they can understand if there are legitimate reasons why an employee is late — whether it’s a personal matter or because the employee has too many job responsibilities and isn’t speaking up for himself or herself. 

“After gaining an accurate understanding of the situation, the employer should then set clear expectations and consequences for what will happen if the problem persists,” Doody told FOX Business. 

What are some ways an employee can reduce late habits? 

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to improving an employee’s punctuality. 

Hanson with Insperity, however, said the following tips may help reduce late habits.

Identify the root causes contributing to lateness. These can include poor time management skills, procrastination or personal challenges. 

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“Take proactive steps to address these issues, whether through self-help resources, professional development opportunities or seeking support from a mentor or supervisor,” Hanson said. 

Adopt an organizational method that best suits you. An organizational method that aligns with your preferences, work style and goals can enhance your ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks and stay punctual in the workplace, Hanson said. 

Hold yourself accountable. This can be achieved by setting goals, tracking progress and seeking feedback from colleagues or supervisors, Hanson indicated. 

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