You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

Assuming you knew that there was going to be snow today, if you're late getting somewhere, is it your fault for not leaving earlier?

Do you feel it should be expected because of the weather, and leave the same time you usually would in fair weather?

Something in between?

Message edited 1/28/2009 9:05:40 AM.

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

it depends if it is work or not and how late you would be.

if it is work then yes i would leave a little earlier to try and get there on time.

if it is a friends or something like that then ok so your late. but i still would leave a little earlier or cancel.

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

I think it's possible that someone could leave earlier than normal, but traffic is still so bad that they arrive late. So I'd say it's out of their control.

Re: You're late getting somwhere today. Is it your fault?

Normally.... yes. if I knew it was going to snow, I would leave early enough to get to where I had to be on time.

However, I have to put my son on his school bus at 7:30am which leaves me about a half hour to get to work (which is 20 minutes away... no traffic) It took me a little over an hour to get to work.

but I work alone so I'm not really *screwing* anyone by coming in late. I can manipulate my schedule and either make up the 1/2 hour or not take a lunch etc...

But back before I had my son, working in Manhattan, I left an hour earlier on days like these.

Message edited 1/28/2009 9:10:06 AM.

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

It depends. I am a real stickler for punctuality and I never EVER took a "snow day" when my school (I was a teacher) was open. I am responsible enough to set my alarm earlier, get out and clean off the car and allow time for delays. I can count on one hand the times I've been late for a job. However, if there was an accident or something unforseen like that, being late is understandable.

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

If someone left early and was still late and is not usually late, then I wouldn't fault them.

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

I think even in this weather, it is excuseable to be late. DH left an extra 1.5 hours early & it took him 1 hour & 15 minutes to just get from our house by the Seaford Oyster Bay to the Cross Island Pkwy...From there he still had to get to NYC....Needless to say, he is still not at work

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

Of course you should leave earlier today- but even then- there is no guarantee you will be on time.
There is no accounting for the traffic on a day like today.
I hear there are TONS of accidents slowing everything down.
Also- you need to go as slow as you feel necessary for the road conditions- and if that means being late- so be it.
Better to be safe!

I heard the traffic announcer on the Traffic and Weather channel say she allowed DOUBLE the normal time needed to get to work- and was STILL late.

So I say today- free pass!

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

My first response is yes, leave earlier. (thanks mom and former bosses)
Honestly though, I am constantly late - even in good weather

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

I think it really depends on so many things. Certainly, people who have obligations at home (getting children to school, waiting for baby sitters or nannies to arrive, etc.) are simply not able to leave too much earlier than usual. When possible, however, you SHOULD leave earlier than usual to at least try to make it in on time.

Still, with weather like this, it's difficult to predict how long it will take to drive somewhere. There are more accidents, different roads are plowed at different times, etc., etc. I think lateness is understandable to a point.

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

I vote somewhere in between.

You KNOW it will be a slow go if it is snowing, etc.. so you should plan to leave earlier if possible. Some people can't leave until a certain time for various reasons - so they are exempt. But if you have no obligations from preventing you from leaving earlier - than you have little excuse.

I WILL SAY - that I don't think the roads were plowed very well this morning. I have a feeling they decided to do bare minimum in order to save money since it's supposed to rain later. So a few minutes later wouldn't be a big deal... but being 30-40-60 minutes late (barring accidents).. or MORE is just poor planning in my opinion.

Message edited 1/28/2009 9:14:38 AM.

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

I personally think it's so hard to judge how long a commute will take in this weather, so even if you think you leave early enough, you could easily still be late. Not for nothing, but we're all human and I'd rather take my time and be late than rush just so I can be on time somewhere. What's more important than your safety?

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

I would definitely leave earlier than normal. But I am also not going to get crazy if I am a little late. I am not going to put myself in danger.

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

I'll add - even if it IS your fault that you're running late, you should still just take it slow. Your safety and well-being are more important than timeliness today, and I think most companies will understand that.

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

I think people should leave early when there is inclement weather. I could understand if you were still late, but feel people should at least make the effort. I leave 15-30 minutes early for work in bad weather.

ETA: exceptions should be made for people we cannot adjust their schedule due to kids/school bus, etc

Message edited 1/28/2009 9:48:39 AM.

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

Posted by 1stimemom

My first response is yes, leave earlier. (thanks mom and former bosses)
Honestly though, I am constantly late - even in good weather

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

Ok, I'll also add that if I am going to be late, I always give the courtesy of calling someone at work to tell them I'll be late. This way they know that I'm at least responsible. And I think it's the right thing to do.

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

if i know there is going to be snow or there already is snow when i get up i make sure to leave earlier... like 45 minutes earlier than normal. if i leave THAT much earlier and i still can't get there on time then something drastic must have happened on the roadway like a closure to cause that -- in which case, that is out of my hands. i do the best i can and leave way early but certain things you can't get past or predict like major accidents... for the most part, though, leaving early like that usually works out fine.

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

there are so many factors involved in getting to work for me..at any given day I can be late. There is just no way to predict things sometimes.

Re: You're late getting somewhere today. Is it your fault?

Not sure...depends how often that person is late on a everyday basis. I personally take an earlier bus to get to work 15 minutes early' my start time is 8:00.

When its bad weather like this - I get on a much earlier bus. This morning I was on a 630 bus and got to work at 10 to 8. I am normally at my desk at 7:40, so I gave myself over an hour to get here and still got here 10 minutes later than if I had taken my 700 am bus.

I think its hard to hold someone accountable when they take public transportation in weather like this...the most you can do is take an earlier bus/train...and even than you're still not guaranteed getting there on time. There are many factors that work against you. JMO

Message edited 1/28/2009 11:22:08 AM.