Apologize for Being Late to Work

When you're late to work, it is often due to circumstances out of your control, such as traffic or unexpected snags in your routine. Your company may tolerate you being late a few times; however, some companies have a strict no-tardiness policy. Whatever the reason for the late arrival, it is important to communicate with your supervisor and express your regret. Apologize for being late to work by saying you are sorry and by offering an honest and acceptable explanation. If your offense was particularly bad, you may want to follow up by composing a letter or email to offer an explanation.

Steps

Assessing the Situation

1. Gauge how late you're going to be. Depending on your job, a few minutes may not be that big of a deal. However, if it is going to be longer, you probably need to call or apologize when you get there.
2. Decide how important your punctuality is. For instance, if you have a big meeting, it may be more important for you to be on time. Also, some jobs are more attentive to punctuality than other ones.
3. Call ahead. If you're going to be more than 5 minutes late, it's probably best to call ahead. Let your boss know that you'll be delayed, and give her an estimate for about how long it will take.

Apologizing in Person

1. Apologize sincerely. If you're not sincere, your boss will spot it from a mile away. Before going to apologize, make sure you are properly remorseful.
   • One way to show you're sincere is to not make light of the apology. Don't laugh or joke while making it.
2. Note what you're apologizing for. Your boss may not understand why you're apologizing out of the blue because she may not have noticed you coming in late. Therefore, be specific.
   • For instance, you could say, "I would like to apologize for being 15 minutes late to work today."
3. Make your apology honest. Give the true reason why you were late, unless it's not a work-appropriate reason. The more elaborate story you try to make up, the more likely your boss is to think you're lying. Plus, lies usually have a way of coming out. However, keep it short.
   • For instance, you might say, "I'm very sorry I was 15 minutes late. My kid got sick as I was walking out the door, and I had to make arrangements."
   • However, skip the reason if it is too silly or not work-appropriate. For instance, if you were late because you were having a bad hair day, that's probably not something you want to share at work. It's better to not give an excuse than to lie.
4. Acknowledge that you know being late is wrong. You should make sure that your boss knows that you know what your lateness can cost the company. At the least, you're not performing your job as promised. At the worst, you could lose clients for the company.
   • For instance, you could continue your apology by saying, "I know that this company values punctuality for a good reason, and I will strive to be on time in the future."
5. Say, "Thank you." If your boss doesn't fire you on the spot (which can happen at some jobs), show that you are grateful by saying thank you. For instance, you could say, "I appreciate that you are giving me another chance."
6. Don't make excuses. If your boss tries to lay into you about being late, don't make an excuse. Let your boss have her say without interrupting and make sure she knows that you understand the consequences of being late.
7. Don't interrupt a meeting to apologize. If you are going to a meeting first thing, it's best if you just go and join it, making as little noise as possible. Don't interrupt the meeting to make an apology. Wait until after the meeting.
8. Avoid being late in the future. Of course, everyone is late once in a while. However, if you're chronically late, your boss will notice. No matter how sincerely you apologize, being chronically late means you're not actually sorry for what you've done because you keep repeating the same mistake.

Writing an Apology Letter

1. Know when an apology letter or email is appropriate. If you were exceptionally late, you may need to move on to an apology letter or email. Another reason you may want to choose this option is if your lateness caused a big problem for the company, such as losing a client.
2. Keep it formal. That is, use addresses and a date at the top. Start with your name, address, and email at the top. Underneath that, put the date. Underneath that, add your boss's name, work address, and email.
3. Open with "Dear." A safe bet for any business letter is opening with "Dear." If you call your boss by her first name usually, it's fine to insert her first name. If you don't, you should use "Ms." or "Mrs."
4. State your reason for writing the letter. Begin by stating why you are writing the letter. Note the date and time you were late, as well as the reason.
   • For instance, you could say, "I want to apologize for being 2 hours late to work on Friday, September 4, 2015. I had a crisis at home I could not avoid. I realize this caused problems with the company, and I would like to say how sorry I am."
5. Show that you understand what it cost the company. Next, you need to show that you understand why your mistake was bad. Acknowledge what you cost the company.
   • As an example, you could write "I know that my tardiness has cost the company. I missed a meeting with a customer, and though I plan to make it up, I know it has lost the company some credibility."
6. Show you have a plan for the future. End by stating how you plan to avoid this problem in the future. Show you have taken steps to prevent it.
   • For instance, you could write "I know you expect better from your employees, and I have taken steps to make sure this situation doesn't happen again. I've asked another family member to be available should another situation like this one creep up, so that I can be on time in the future."
7. Show your gratitude. Always end with gratitude. You want to let your boss know that you are thankful for any second chances she offers.
   • As an example, you could say "I appreciate the fact that you've been understanding, and I am grateful for another chance to prove my loyalty to the company."
8. End with a "Sincerely." Sign off the letter with "Sincerely." If you're printing off the letter, leave space for you to sign and then put your name underneath in type. If you're making an email, just put your name in print.

Tips

• Try to break the news to your boss before anyone else does. You do not want to have your supervisor hear from someone else that you are late.

Related Articles

• Be Punctual
• Apologize
• Avoid Making Common Work Mistakes
• Accept Criticism While at Work

Sources and Citations

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• Apologize
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