Handy Excuses for Being Late In To Work
If you need an excuse for being late in to your workplace - this page might give you a clue.
Maybe it is your third time in a week, the boss has already warned you about poor timekeeping and you need a good reason fast.
Perhaps you overslept or woke up in a bed that was not your own. Maybe the police have only just released you from an overnight stay in their cells.
There can be times when you don't want to tell work the real reason you are going to be or were late in to the office.
My plan is to make this page into a Wiki style A-Z of useful being late excuses. With a bit of effort it may become a part of life learning lessons in school to give pupils a head start on avoiding work wherever possible.
Here are a few odd reasons that don't yet deserve their own section.
Below are some better excuses in a loose AZ sequence.
Maybe it is your third time in a week, the boss has already warned you about poor timekeeping and you need a good reason fast.
Perhaps you overslept or woke up in a bed that was not your own. Maybe the police have only just released you from an overnight stay in their cells.
There can be times when you don't want to tell work the real reason you are going to be or were late in to the office.
My plan is to make this page into a Wiki style A-Z of useful being late excuses. With a bit of effort it may become a part of life learning lessons in school to give pupils a head start on avoiding work wherever possible.
Here are a few odd reasons that don't yet deserve their own section.
- Thought it was a Saturday
- Didn't notice the time
- No offence - but could not be bothered
Below are some better excuses in a loose AZ sequence.
Clocks Changed
Ideal excuse twice a year when the clocks either spring forward or fall back.
You forgot to change them or moved them in the wrong direction. Easy mistake to make - less easy to convince boss and work colleagues.
You forgot to change them or moved them in the wrong direction. Easy mistake to make - less easy to convince boss and work colleagues.
Delivery
You found out this morning that an important delivery is arriving at whatever time. You need to wait in to receive it.
Flat Battery
The old flat battery excuse meant your clapped out car would fail to start. You would need to hand-crank it (very old cars) or borrow jump-leads from a neighbour.
As more people purchase all electric cars the flat battery excuse will surely become more popular.
As more people purchase all electric cars the flat battery excuse will surely become more popular.
Household Problems
There are a whole load of potential pitfall areas facing us before we even open the front door to leave for the office. It is amazing anyone manages to make it to work on time.
Leaky plumbing, electrical fault. boiler trouble, air conditioning failure, lift out of action, large spider in bathroom.
Couldn't find keys, wallet, glasses, laptop, shoes.
Been burgled (use sparingly).
Leaky plumbing, electrical fault. boiler trouble, air conditioning failure, lift out of action, large spider in bathroom.
Couldn't find keys, wallet, glasses, laptop, shoes.
Been burgled (use sparingly).
Illness
You have been unwell recently or this morning and that delayed you. Maybe you felt sick and it has passed. Maybe you were sick - go easy on the details. Ideally there is something going round the office and you can get a free pass with that.
Despite this discomfort you have managed to struggle in late. Add in the "I've not been feeling myself lately" opening line and the ensuing good-natured banter should help you get away with it.
Despite this discomfort you have managed to struggle in late. Add in the "I've not been feeling myself lately" opening line and the ensuing good-natured banter should help you get away with it.
Kids
Kids are a good reason. Even the most cold hearted boss has to pretend to care - much as you have to. Plus they make you sound like you have a life outside of work.
A child can be ill, lost, naughty, late for school, overdue homework. They can be not eating, washing, dressing, brushing teeth. They can make your life hell.
So make the most of them. Have a lie in. If you can.
A child can be ill, lost, naughty, late for school, overdue homework. They can be not eating, washing, dressing, brushing teeth. They can make your life hell.
So make the most of them. Have a lie in. If you can.
Overslept
Oversleeping is a good reason for being late but not much of an excuse to give to work. It makes you sound lazy, disorganised and probably a drinker.
Blaming equipment is a reasonable excuse. Your alarm clock or iPhone failed to sound an alarm due to an unavoidable and catastrophic battery failure.
The cockerel had a morning off.
Your wife who normally wakes you has gone to her mothers for an unspecified amount of time.
Blaming equipment is a reasonable excuse. Your alarm clock or iPhone failed to sound an alarm due to an unavoidable and catastrophic battery failure.
The cockerel had a morning off.
Your wife who normally wakes you has gone to her mothers for an unspecified amount of time.
Pets
Pets are a handy excuse. They get lost or sick. They trash the place, mess on the floor and may eat your travel card, wallet, car keys.
They climb on to ledges and won't come down. Get involved romantically or aggressively with next door's pet.
Each of these problems can require a lot of time. Time that you would much rather spend reading work emails.
They climb on to ledges and won't come down. Get involved romantically or aggressively with next door's pet.
Each of these problems can require a lot of time. Time that you would much rather spend reading work emails.
Transport
One of the main reasons for being late is the journey to work. From losing your car keys through to unable to find a parking space - there is a whole range of perfectly reasonable explanations for being up to three hours late.
Train delayed, traffic jams, bus was late, flat tire, accident on the highway, road closures
Stopped by traffic policeman for missing tail light
Speed or parking restrictions
A lane closed or temporary traffic lights has caused havoc. They are digging up the road for no obvious reason
Lost season ticket, missed station change or highway turn-off
Strike on public transport
Neighbour blocked my car in
Train delayed, traffic jams, bus was late, flat tire, accident on the highway, road closures
Stopped by traffic policeman for missing tail light
Speed or parking restrictions
A lane closed or temporary traffic lights has caused havoc. They are digging up the road for no obvious reason
Lost season ticket, missed station change or highway turn-off
Strike on public transport
Neighbour blocked my car in
Wife
Wife or partner problems. Anyone in a relationship knows that sometimes despite your best efforts there can be misunderstandings. A simple throwaway remark can result in extreme and in my view quite unnecessary over-reactions.
Your partner can be a perfect excuse for being late. It is easier to lie about a third party having problems.
She lost her keys, she is unwell - that sort of thing.
If you are in a happy relationship - well lucky you.
ed: Remember this could be read by women as well. So instead of wife say partner or cohabitee. That is more inclusive and might gain a link from Huffington Post.
Your partner can be a perfect excuse for being late. It is easier to lie about a third party having problems.
She lost her keys, she is unwell - that sort of thing.
If you are in a happy relationship - well lucky you.
ed: Remember this could be read by women as well. So instead of wife say partner or cohabitee. That is more inclusive and might gain a link from Huffington Post.
Working From Home
You thought it was your work from home day.
More Reasons To Come
I am researching this piece by being persistently late in to the office. Each day is a new challenge to find the right reason to give the boss.
I guess I am unlucky to have so many minor problems in the morning. They start with getting out of bed and gradually get worse until being sat at a boring desk for more hours of corporate misery.
Good luck with your excuse.
Or you could take the whole day off instead of being late.
I guess I am unlucky to have so many minor problems in the morning. They start with getting out of bed and gradually get worse until being sat at a boring desk for more hours of corporate misery.
Good luck with your excuse.
Or you could take the whole day off instead of being late.