Punctuality is a wonderful trait of a person, one to be admired and respected. 2 years back when attending a workshop on business ethics, the instructor explained the meaning of punctuality and I would like to share his words of wisdom with you today. Punctuality displays a person’s respect for people and time. In a scheduled appointment, the late-comer usually gives an impression that he/she doesn’t value the other person’s time or considers his/her time more important than that of the other. This is exactly why candidates are never late at a job interview!
Punctuality is more important at the workplace because it is here that you get paid for the hours you put in. While it may be appropriate for you to be fashionably late for a social event, it won’t be appreciated by the business where time is considered to be money in today's growing economy. Many people work from home these days, to them punctuality means being available online during office hours, logging in into meetings punctually, and meeting project deadlines.
While many companies do appreciate punctuality, others offer a more flexible environment for employees. Here employees are assessed on their professional front like accomplishments and out of the box solutions, while punctuality takes a backseat. However, at the end of the day, punctuality does make a difference and if you want to earn and maintain the respect you wish to have at the workplace you cannot wayside this wonderful human virtue. Below are some reasons why you should be punctual:
1. Respect: Punctuality speaks of a person’s respect of others. In giving respect to others we can earn in turn.
2. Credibility: An employee who is punctual is considered as credible in the eyes of his/her employer.
3. Organised: A punctual person usually organises his/her work well, thinks ahead of time, prioritizes the given tasks and is overall successful.
3. Organised: A punctual person usually organises his/her work well, thinks ahead of time, prioritizes the given tasks and is overall successful.
4. Networking: Much of the networking in a company happens just before a meeting when the board members are waiting for everybody to gather. Being early can give you a chance to talk to the company leaders and create a network of alliances for you.
5. Ready: Being a couple of minutes early to a meeting or work, gives you time to relax, collect your thoughts and prioritise your day’s activities. This will help you sail through the day with no major glitches.
6. Productivity: An employee who isn’t stressed about reaching late or has come in early enough to give him minutes to settle in before the day’s work begins, has got better chances to get more accomplished than a late comer who feels more pressurized.
7. Promotion: All of the above points help an employee become a strong contender for a promotion (of course, given the fact that he/she is good at the job).
I do agree with the point that punctuality displays a person's respect for people and time. I don't like people who are always late for appointment, deadline of work and other formal occasion. I think, you have to give a reasonable excuse if you are late for an important or even a not so important appointment.
ReplyDeleteSo true! If you have an appointment and are going to be late you absolutely 'have to' call to inform or at least make sure you have a very reasonable excuse why you couldn't make it on time to the venue.
ReplyDeleteI really don't like it when people show up late for work and always come up with excuses to cover their tracks up. You shouldn't have a job if you keep on doing that!
ReplyDeleteI especially think the point on productivity is accurate on a day I show up to work early I usually find my self making a checklist of everything I want and need to get done for the day. As opposed to showing up late where I spend my day trying to be as productive as everyone else
ReplyDeleteIt is true! Punctuality is part of been organized and productive. you have to be on time when you have a job, you will finish on time and everything else will follow. This will keep you focused and ease up the stress.
ReplyDeleteBe on time. It is not too much to ask that people in contemporary society keep their promise to be on time. Don’t lose your credibility.
ReplyDeleteHey Daejoong, I do agree that being on time is not too much to ask. However, that is considering people who are more organised. I know a software professional who got the pink slip for being unpunctual during his entire tenure at the company. However that hasn't changed him one bit. He is still jobless after 4 months. However, since he is really smart, he is confident that an employer will hire him for his intelligence rather than his punctuality.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and there is no point to disagree. Wether its a business environment or any social event, puntual people earn respect and considered more responsible. Unpuntual people may face difficulties in achieving their goals and may be less trusted in this society, regarding any serious matter.
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ReplyDeletePunctuality is a great way to network. If you're early for work it shows that you're willing to put forth your best effort into the company and managers will definitely see that. Then again, with blue collar jobs, although punctuality is a requirement, great punctuality will not give off that much of an impression as workers aren't much individualized and identified in that industry. In addition, there isn't much of a promotion hierarchy from the bottom up in the blue collar industry so punctuality is not much of a benefit.
ReplyDeleteVery true Sedar, when you say that blue collar jobs may not have enough room for promotion hierarchy. However, employees could always gain from being more productive if they are punctual or better organised in their personal and professional lives.
ReplyDeleteNice article Cheryl. Punctuality like other basic values (discipline, honesty etc) if imbibed at the early age becomes very easy to follow and becomes the part of human nature and people automatically tend to be punctual. It is indeed an important aspect of the person's character and should only be exempted under valid reasons.
ReplyDeleteIt becomes pretty annoying when co-workers aren't ever on time. Everyday when I'm at work I have to deal with it, especially when you work opening hours and the other people don't show up!
ReplyDeleteI believe punctuality shows that you have mastered the skill of time management. I also believe that punctuality shows strength of character. It shows that you are dependable, care about other people's feelings and respect their time.
ReplyDeleteIn other words, People who are late are deficient in the skill of time management. Lateness shows a weaknes of character. It shows that you are not dependable, are selfish and put your feelings above others and have no respect for other people's time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all seven benefits! I agree with Ayman, being late does show a weakness of character, because it makes the person look as if there is no value for time in their life. I believe it is acceptable to not be constantly in time or on time for everything in life because sometimes there are valid excuses however building good time management skills is something that is beneficial for yourself and for whomever you work with/for.
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