7 Benefits of Punctuality

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.

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).