You are the manager of a small computer programming firm with only seven employees. Rupert Johnson, a programmer who has worked for the company for five years, has developed the habit of coming in to work anywhere from ten to thirty minutes late most days. The other employees have come to you to complain about Rupert’s constant tardiness, saying that it is unfair that they have to take up his slack in the morning routine. You have promised to call Rupert in and talk to him about the problem.
When you call Rupert into your office to talk to him, he opens up to you and explains that about a month ago his ex-wife unexpectedly gave him full custody of his seven-year-old son. She literally left the boy on his doorstep one Saturday and disappeared. Rupert admits that he has been struggling to get into a good routine with his son. The child’s school will not let students arrive before 7:30 am and even if he gets the boy to school at that time, the morning commute and traffic will always make him a few minutes late.
Thank you for sharing this information with me, Rupert. I understand that you are facing a challenging situation and trying your best to adapt to the new responsibilities that have been placed upon you. It's commendable that you have taken on full custody of your son and are making efforts to manage your professional and personal life.
I want you to know that your colleagues have expressed their concerns about your punctuality, and their concerns are valid. It's essential for all team members to arrive on time and contribute to a productive working environment. However, I also understand that your current circumstances have made it difficult for you to adhere to the regular schedule.
To address this issue, I suggest exploring potential solutions that could accommodate your responsibilities as a parent without negatively impacting the rest of the team. Here are a few options we can consider:
1. Flexible work hours: We can discuss the possibility of adjusting your work schedule to start and end your day a bit later, allowing you to drop off your son at school and still arrive on time.
2. Remote work: If applicable to your job role, we can explore the option of occasional remote work. This way, you can manage your morning routine without worrying about being late due to traffic.
3. Shared workload: We can redistribute some of your responsibilities among the team members to ensure that everyone's workload remains balanced and that your tardiness does not create additional burden on others.
4. Seeking external support: Consider reaching out to other parents or community resources who might be able to assist with drop-offs or provide after-school care, helping you establish a more structured routine.
I would like to hear your thoughts on these suggestions and any other ideas you might have for optimizing your schedule. Our aim is to find a solution that benefits both you and the team, ensuring that everyone can work productively while addressing your commitments as a single parent.
Please be aware that while we are willing to explore these options, it is crucial that you make a genuine effort to improve punctuality. Consistency and communication will be key in managing this situation effectively. Let's work together to find a solution that maintains a positive work environment while accommodating your responsibilities outside of work.
Do you have any ideas or concerns you would like to share?