Does 9:00am Sharp Define You as a Worker?

I am not a morning person.  Never have been, never will be.  I am one of those lucky people that have what's known in psychology circles as a 27 hour circadian rhythm.  Which essentially means that while most people have a 24 hour internal clock, and waking up is fairly easy in "normal" morning hours,  I do not and find mornings incredibly difficult.

My Confession (As a Case Study)
In my 6 years since college graduation my work start times have been 10am, 8:30am, 9:40am, and now 9am.  I generally have a 10-15 min late policy everywhere I go (assuming that there are no meetings, phone calls, or scheduled events).  Doesn't matter if I'm walking to work, taking a subway, a cab, or driving myself, if there's nothing pressing happening in the first hour of my eventual work day, I am going to be late b/c I don't see the need to rush.  I work to live, not live to work.  It's not planned, and I would love to be better about it, but sometimes understanding yourself and your limitations is good.  A point for clarification:  I'm never late for a scheduled meeting or event, and in fact will probably show up 15 minutes early.

Does This Make Someone a Bad Employee?
Well, that answer depends doesn't it?  Lets look at these other questions first: 

• Is the employee out the door at 4:50pm, or 5:01pm?  
• Does he/she take a full 60 minutes for lunch?  
• Does he/she goof off and take multiple coffee breaks throughout the day?  
• Does he/she take a 15 minute cigarette break?  
• Does he/she leave often to pick kids up from someplace?
• Does he/she have constant appointments during work hours?
• Is their work suffering?
• Are they missing meetings and important scheduled tasks?

Many of those questions are law given mandates.  In New York State, depending on your specific job, there are laws that state a paid minimum of 30 minutes and a break of up to 20 minutes.  So If I chose to come in 15 minutes late, but still take a 60 minute lunch break, that would be acceptable in the grand scheme of an 8 hour work day - in theory.  The smoke/coffee break of 15 minutes would also be acceptable if I made up the time later.   If I had constant appointments - well, no one would be allowed to inquire b/c what if it were a health matter?  That's not a place of employment's business unless it is affecting your work.  If I'm going to get my hair done during company time and its not a lunch hour, then that's probably an issue.

So lets say an employee is doing none of those things.  They work through lunches, or take quick jaunts outside to get some fresh air, and stay late past the 5pm end time.  They are for all intents and purposes, operating within the guidelines and all the work is finished, or planned to be finished in the next working day.  However, this employee continuously comes in 15-20 min late on most days.   Does that make an employee bad?  Undesirable? Un-hirable?  

There's that age old saying... if you're early you're on time, if you're on time you're late, and if you're late don't even bother.  That sentiment is incredibly, incredibly important to live by.  If you have a meeting with your boss, your partner, your team, or joe blow - you should always be early and ready to go before the meeting.  Hit the ground running.  If you're chronically late, you show lack of enthusiasm, lack of professionalism, and lack of commitment.  Is there the occasional 'stuck in traffic,' or 'I got lost?' Sure.  Accidents happen.

However on a daily basis, take a look at the body of work from an employee.  If you notice them slaving away during the 1-3pm hours, if you notice that they bring their coffee in the morning, and never go out to get it, and if you notice emails and work being done after the 5pm hour, maybe you should be commending them for thinking ahead and working hard.   Of course, if they chose to leave at 5pm on the dot, and come in late, AND take 60 minutes - maybe they are deserving of a meeting to discuss some bad habits.

If You're On Site Do You Get Bonus Points?
Many people work from home and are sometimes more productive there because there are fewer distractions.  Personally, I view it as a nice break and a reward for doing good work, but I need an office 95% of the time.  Helps keep you on task, focused.  On a bad weather day, or a day when you're feeling terrible, the ability to work from home is a nice option if you're still focusing on the work.

But if you can't be seen by the boss, and you're out of sight, are you out of mind?  Will you get passed over for things? Will the lazy employee who shows up on time be picked first for a promotion because they were perceived as committed?

In today's world with the ability to work remotely, laptops, iPads, iPhones, wifi connections at coffee shops and hotels - is there a need for someone to be in the office at their desk at 8:59am every day of the week?  Does this change your perception?