CommuterRun

chephy

I used to be an extremely punctual person. Still am, in most cases, but my present job is ruining me! The boss basically doesn't care if I show up for work on time or two hours late. All she cares about is that I put in the required number of hours of work. And given my love affair with my pillow and blanket, I often am found around the office when everyone else has gone home. But then I kind of enjoy the peace and quiet, so my lateness doesn't really have any bad consequences for me.

I always ride because cycling is by far the fastest way for me to get to work. Public transit is decidedly slower. Even a taxi would be slower (due to having to somehow solicit one first). It's also not worth the expense in most cases. And I don't have a car, so that never tempts me as an option.

chephy

I don't think it's an honour either. Unless you agree that it's as much of an honour to the employer to have you working for him. A job is merely a contract between you and the employer. You give him your time and skills, he gives you $. If either thinks the deal's not fair (e.g., your employee is always late or your employer doesn't pay you enough) - he's welcome to find a better deal.

mparker326

It's funny all these people scolding the OP about being a little late for work find it perfectly acceptable to surf & post on the internet all day while at work.

chephy

Hey, as long as the boss doesn't see it, you're not creating a bad impression of yourself, so it's okay.

d2create

Yeah, that would have been helpful in the beginning instead of gradually making your lateness seem like less and less of a problem to the point where you're not really late, just showing up at different times than your coworkers. Most people don't have the freedom that you do.

So uh, what was the question again? I'm not sure I understand now. Is it, "what should i do if i wake up later than i normally do, even though it doesn't matter what time i get to work?"
It doesn't seem like anyone here can answer that question except you.

paddlerspock

I was kinda thinking the same thing!?!?!?!

paddlerspock

The original question was What do you, as in other people on the forum, do if you commute by bicycle to work and wake up late?

Do you drive, do you get a ride, do you still ride your bike, etc?

I was just curious, but apparently only like 5 people on here have ever been late for work.

benhenley

Change the time on your clock forward by an hour or so. When you wake up and your clock says 830 and your supposed to be at work by then, you will wake up fast and get ready quickly. Then by the time you get to work you will be on time or early. You may occasionally have to keep changing your clock forward so you dont get used the the time difference, but it works, especially when you have to be at work by 4am and rarely get to sleep until after 12.

Also waking up at the same time everyday helps, whether you have work or not. Get up by around 730 and go for a ride, eat some breakfast and start your day. Maybe on days you dont work sleep in for an extra half hour but not much more. Then once your awake you wont be wasting half your day in bed. Thats what I always used to do!!

If I'm going to be late for any reason I'll call. I'm normally the first/second one in. My manager and I get there at 7. So I'll call a a little before 7 to see if he happens to be there and then I'll just keep calling every few minutes until I get an answer and I'll let them know that I'll be a little late and about what time I'll be getting there. I was only late once and thats because the power went out in the middle of the night so my alarm didnt go off.

JoeyBike

I will only add one thought to this: You could be the best worker in the world, but if you are not at work, you are worthless to your boss and coworkers.

I currently work at a job where my hours are totally and completely flexible. They don't care when I go in. However, I chose my hours where it will take the most load off of my coworkers AND do the most good for the boss. Then, I show up on time if not early. In addition, I do a nice job of keeping my life free of drama, so I am not continually leaving work for whatever reasons.

Trust me, when it comes time for raises and bonuses, or simply surviving layoffs, being dependable with time is golden! If you just blow it, call in as soon as you can. Especially riding your bike, people you hardly know at work will worry about you.

YoKev

I'm 26 and work for a small company. If I am going to be late and it's before 7:30 AM I call my boss at home to let him know. If it is after, I call the office and leave a message if he doesn't pick up. Those are driving days for sure...I wouldn't dream of calling in late and taking an hour to ride in.

When I do ride in, I am here 1 hour before I have to be, and stay about 15 minues later than my crew. In that hour, I clean up, grab some coffee, get some food, and start working 30 minutes before I "officially" start my day.

Almost time to pedal home, have a good weekend.

Kevin

Bike-a-Boo

I have the option to take a car, so that's what I would do. I have a flexible work schedule as well (within reason), but I am so routine-orientated that I would hate to start later and finish later than usual.

uke

I have an alarm clock. Waking up late is a non-issue. Getting to bed early, on the other hand...

riddei

If you have as flexible of a start time as you say, I guess you ride your bike... I'm not sure how you can say "OH $h!t! I woke up late for work, Again" if that is the scenario. I think the title of this discussion thread is what provoked the responses you see here.

To answer your question... If I overslept and was going to be *late*, I would take the fastest means at my disposal. In other words, if I lived in a congested city and biking was faster, I'd take the bike. If I lived in a more rural area and the car was faster, I would take the car. As others have said, call the job and tell them you are going to be late.

I certainly wouldn't be taking a shower at work after a bike ride in if I was *late*, that is just kicking sand in your employers face (boss, coworkers, colleagues, subordinates).

Best wishes!

HopliteGrad

Yup. Harden the f--- up and get there a few minutes early.

Now, to actually answer your question, if I woke up late for work, I'd get there as fast as I could, let the boss see I tried to hustle there, assure her/him it would not happen again, and then follow through so that I'd not have to stand before my boss with another s--t-eating grin explaining why I'm late. Again.

AdrianFly

I pity everyone under 30.. such a crapfest they are graduating into.

No wonder most have the "Hand me this... gimmie dat.. Boss is a stoopid idiot" attitude.


Foreign services always use this "Young Lazy American Attitude" to promote cost efficient outsourcing of tech jobs.

Habib, Jamad, Yang or Mung is always on time, LIVES and DIES for your company and works for a few bucks an hour -vs- Minimum $40,000/yr+benefits.

keiththesnake

Here's the code: Early is on time. On time is late.

The only times I'm late for work involve driving, not riding.

Fremdchen

Employers have us all by the short hairs. There's always 20 applicants waiting in line for your job. A boss will always give you enough rope to hang yourself. They'll never scold you regularly for being late. You probably won't hear a word about it until a juicy-enough resume for your replacement comes across their desk, or they decline to give you a raise at your performance review.

In the corporate world, punishments and rewards are damn slow in coming.

BA Commuter

Getting up a little earlier and getting into a daily routine becomes easier. As many have said, in this economy I wouldn't do anything to be the one who stands out in the wrong way when it comes time to choose who needs to stay and who needs to go.

Depends on how late, but I would take the car, if necessary.

huhenio

Get to bed earlier and stop drinking.

I have not been late for work in many years at different employements.

I drink and I smoke.