MODERN technology aimed at making our lives easier is increasingly being blamed by workers turning up late for work or meetings, a survey has revealed.

 But while workers will blame everything from their mobile phones and handheld computers to Sat-Nav and Blackberries rather than admit they were late, employers too can now turn to modern technology for help.

 Just as it helps see through the lies of those claiming to be ill on Mondays, or around key sporting events, Employersafe HR Software can now tackle lateness as well.

 In our latest survey on lateness in the workplace, four of the most common ten excuses employers have heard cited some piece of modern technology as being at fault.

 “There’s no doubt that devices such as mobile phones and Blackberries have made the world of work much easier over the past decade,” said ELAS head of consultancy, Peter Mooney.

 “But clearly our reliance on them – and to some extent, our mistrust of them – seems to be causing the more imaginative of workers to blame these gadgets for their own inadequacies.

 “While the excuses are becoming more modern, the trick for employers remains the same – how to spot when staff are telling the truth from when they are simply late.”

 Thankfully, employers can now turn to technology themselves in the form of our Employersafe Personnel Software.

 Using Employersafe, managers can log every occasion where a member of staff is late, and the consequences of their lateness – such as losing a piece of new business.

 Over the course of weeks or months, the software then monitors each worker’s punctuality and, using a points system, calculates when it reaches problem levels, or when it identifies a clear pattern to the behaviour.

 Using its trademark on-screen traffic lights, it then alerts employers and gives them the evidence and guidance with which to tackle the problem - either through effective management or, in extreme cases, by invoking disciplinary procedures.

 “Every employer has a fair idea which of their staff is going to be delayed by traffic, or get sent the wrong way by Sat-Nav, and it usually has nothing to do with their driving or map-reading skills,” added Mr. Mooney.

“But being able to spot the persistent liars from those who are genuinely delayed not only allows you to tackle the problem head on where it exists, but it also frees innocent workers from suspicion.”

PANEL

The most common ten excuses used to explain lateness are: 

1.     The traffic was a nightmare

2.     The Train/Bus was late/cancelled

3.     My children are sick / My pet is dead/ill

4.     I've got a flat tyre / the car wouldn't start

5.     I had a doctor's / dentist's appointment

6.     My alarm didn't go off

7.     I didn't get the text confirming the meeting / location / time

8.     Sat-Nav sent me the wrong way

9.     My PDA crashed and I lost the details of all my meetings

10. My Blackberry wasn't working so I didn't get the email

For more information about the scheme or any other employment law matter, please call ELAS on 0161 785 2000

Visit www.employment-law.uk.com for more information.

     For HR Software to manage your absences, visit www.employersafe.co.uk