I’m Losing Credibility With My Employees

Dear Glenn,

I have a really nice girl working for me but she has a very serious punctuality problem. She has worked for me for 5 months and is still in her probationary period. I have talked with her 4 times. It’s always one excuse after another. I even changed her start time from 8 am to 8:30 hoping that an extra half an hour in the mornings would help. I am at my wit’s end and don’t know what to do. I suppose the next step is to write her up but I am reluctant to do that. She is a hard worker and I think over time she will become a valuable employee. I really need some guidance on how to deal with her tardiness. I’m worried that I am giving myself a negative image with my other employees who are well aware of her tardiness issues. They know that I’ve spoken with her but if I don’t get this resolved soon I’m afraid my respect and credibility may be in jeopardy.

Thanks so much.

Wanda in Kentucky