You should also think about writing an apology letter if you’ve already had one or more violations in the past, or if your tardiness caused a major problem for your company, such as a lost client or safety violation.
If you work for a large company, put down the local address of your workplace rather than the business’s headquarters.
Most apology letters will open with a line like, “Dear Miss Morgan” or “Dear Mr. Singh. ” If you don’t feel comfortable using the word “Dear,” it’s alright to drop it and just say “Miss Morgan,” followed by a comma. Be careful not to sound too familiar with your employer. Doing so could come across as disrespectful.
Your explanation might read, “I want to offer my sincerest apologies for being two hours late to work this past Friday, August 10th, 2018. I had an unexpected crisis at home that demanded my attention. I understand that my absence came at an inopportune moment for the company, and I would like to say once again how sorry I am. " Keep the body of your letter short and sweet. Ideally, it should consist of only a few lines—your opening, a brief explanation, and a final acknowledgement of wrongdoing.
As an example, you might write, “I realize that by missing my 10 am appointment I not only lost a potential client but also damaged our company’s credibility as a dependable consultant with an emphasis on customer satisfaction. ”
A closing line like, “I’ve asked a trusted neighbor to be available to help with the dogs so that a situation like this morning’s doesn’t happen again” will be taken as a sign of good faith.
Your final line doesn’t have to be anything too extravagant: “I appreciate how gracious you’ve been throughout this whole ordeal, and I’m eager for another chance to prove my loyalty to the company. " If nothing else, include a short gesture of thanks like, “Thank you for being understanding of these difficulties and my plans to correct them. ”
If you wish, you can include a complimentary closing line like “Sincerely” or “With respect” before your signature. [9] X Research source Listing your job title below your name may help your recipient identify you more easily if you work in a large company with multiple departments.
Consider how long it will take you to resolve your current situation in order to give a more accurate estimate. If you’re stuck in traffic, for example, use a navigation app that provides live traffic updates to find out how fast things are moving up ahead. Giving your employer an idea of when they can expect you to arrive will put them at ease and allow them to make any necessary adjustments to the schedule.
If you have no way of knowing how late you’ll ultimately be, err on the side of caution and call anyway.
If you phone right away, someone else may be able to cover for you until you arrive.
If you have important information to share, leave it with your boss’s receptionist or administrative assistant. These people usually take notes, so there will be a record of your call. Avoid sharing your status with a coworker. If they get busy or distracted, they may forget to pass the word along.
You should give an apology in person even if you called in beforehand to tell your employer that you were going to be late. [14] X Expert Source Brandy DeOrnellas, PCC, ESQ. Career & Life Transition Coach Expert Interview. 15 December 2021. If you put off apologizing because you’re busy or dread facing your boss, you may end up looking indifferent or irresponsible, which can reflect poorly on you as an employee.
There’s no need to dress up your story with unnecessary details. Just say something like, “I’m sorry I was a few minutes late today. My youngest child got sick right when I was about to head out the door. ” Avoid sharing the day’s events if they’re not work-appropriate. If you were late because you got distracted by a personal phone call or spent an hour on the toilet with tummy trouble, it may be better to not give a reason at all.
Don’t laugh, joke, or try to brush off your tardiness as insignificant. Making light of the situation could be interpreted as a sign of disrespect.
As a way of showing your appreciation for leniency, you might say something like, “Thank you for being so understanding. I promise it won’t happen again. ” It can be tough to swallow your pride in front of your supervisor, but it’s the most diplomatic course of action, especially when you’re late as a result of your own actions.
Even small embellishments could land you in hot water. All it would take is a radio traffic report to disprove your claim that you were late due to a pileup on the interstate. Focusing on how your actions have affected others tends to make a better impression than trying to downplay the mistake. “Thank you for adjusting your schedule on such short notice,” for instance, sounds better than, “There was a big wreck on the interstate. “[20] X Research source
Make as little noise as possible as you slip in to avoid drawing any more unnecessary attention to yourself. Not only would apologizing during a meeting disrupt the proceedings, it would also add to your embarrassment by having to admit it in front of your higher-ups and coworkers.
If necessary, start waking up half an hour earlier to give yourself a little cushion for your morning routine or commute. It’s possible that you could be reprimanded, penalized, or even fired for being chronically late.
