I have a co-worker who always arrives late to a scheduled meeting. What do I do?

Question Analysis

This question assesses your ability to handle workplace challenges diplomatically and effectively, particularly in relation to team dynamics and professional conduct. It evaluates your conflict resolution skills, your understanding of workplace etiquette, and your ability to act proactively to maintain productivity and harmony within a team. The focus is on how you manage interpersonal issues and whether you can address them constructively without escalating tensions.

Answer

Situation: In one of my previous roles, I encountered a similar situation where a co-worker consistently arrived late to our weekly team meetings. This behavior was starting to disrupt the flow and productivity of our discussions.

Task: As a team member who valued punctuality and effective use of time, I felt it was important to address this issue constructively to ensure our meetings remained productive and respectful of everyone's time.

Action: I decided to have a private conversation with the co-worker. I approached the subject with empathy, first acknowledging that everyone can occasionally run late due to unforeseen circumstances. I then expressed my observation about the pattern of tardiness and how it was affecting the meeting's agenda. I also offered to adjust the meeting schedule if it was a timing issue for him.

Result: The co-worker appreciated my candid yet considerate approach. He was unaware that his tardiness was affecting the team and expressed his willingness to improve. We agreed on a slightly adjusted meeting time that worked better for him, and from then on, he made a concerted effort to arrive on time, which significantly improved the overall efficiency of our meetings.