Careerbuilder.com Reports 35% Of Terminations Are For Being Late To Work

A recent poll on Forbes.com indicated that one in five employees arrives for work late at least once a week. This same poll reported just under half of employees are never late. This raises the question – if you are in the half that arrives to work late, can you be fired for just being late?

The short answer is yes. A survey conducted by careerbuilder.com confirmed employers like punctuality. This survey revealed that 48% of employers expect their employees to arrive to work on time and reported 35% of employers have fired an employer for being late. Some jobs – think train conductors, educators, nurses – require employees to show up on time for the smooth operation of the business and there can be severe penalties for tardiness. The survey stated that only a third of employers allow occasional lateness, as long as it does not become habitual. And, only 18% of employers don’t care what time their employees arrive, as long as the work gets done. If you are an at-will employee, you can be fired for any reason, including being late, or for no reason at all. If you are an employee whose employment terms are governed by a contract, read the contract to determine if there is a penalty for lateness.

Despite this, you cannot be fired if your employer is using the lateness as a pretext for discrimination based on your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

If you feel that your employer has discriminated or retaliated against you and used your attendance as an excuse for its decision, contact the Law Offices of Damian Christian Shammas, LLC at (973) 998-8500.