Employers get angry when their employees aren’t at work when they should be. When you take a job, it’s up to you to arrange for transportation that will get you to work every day and on time. If you miss work, or arrive late too often, you may:

1. Be warned by your supervisor. The first time you come in late your supervisor will probably only speak to you about it. If it happens again, you will be given a warning that your job may be lost if it continues.

2. Be disliked by your co-workers. Your being late or absent can make it hard for your fellow workers. They may have to do your share of the work.

3. Receive a low employee rating. Workers are evaluated on a monthly basis by their supervisors. If you are late or absent often, your evaluation will be affected.

4. Get fired. If you continue to be absent or late you will lose your job. Most employers will only warn you a few times before they fire you.

It is important to be at work. There are no good excuses, but on occasion you may have a real problem. Don’t make a habit of using excuses for being late or not showing up. Good reasons will not be accepted if they happen too often and you can be fired.

Which of the following situations are good excuses for being late or missing work?

Went to a party last night and got home at 2:00a.m. Went shopping with my parents. Alarm didn’t go off. Sick with the flu. Out-of-town relatives visiting. Sister was in an accident. I didn’t have a ride to work. My parents made me clean the house. I have a lot of homework or I have to study for a “big” test.