Improve punctuality
Punctuality Strategy
Resources
Start time punctuality chart (18.99 KB)
"We've got a lot on at the moment and I'm just not sure who will turn up for work on Monday." Patrick the owner of a long established family business explained to me.
Measuring punctuality
That was 6 months ago when we implemented a strategy to tighten up efficiency. We simply posted on the notice board a chart that displays who showed up, ready to work, on time.
At a glance it seems like the chart is a none-to-subtle shaming campaign, but that is far from the truth. What everyone in the team, from management to factory workers found was that everything about work got better when individual start times were precisely recorded and displayed.
Before we started measuring and displaying the chart some people would arrive 30 minutes before their start time, have a coffee and start work 15 minutes early. Others would arrive exactly on the start time, make a coffee, chat with their colleagues and slowly get into work. Some would regularly show up 30 minutes late.
"The problem's been getting worse over the past year" said Patrick, "We're a family here, but we don't want to be hard on anybody."
"But you are being unfair on 50% of your team" was my response. "Even though they're being responsible they continue to be frustrated because others haven't been responsible. You're penalizing those who do honour their responsibility."
That was the ‘ah-ha' moment for Patrick.
Now the chart is an objective measure. It takes no account of illness, annual leave or any excuses. If someone died, all the squares below the line would be filled in until they returned to work!! The supervisors coloured in the square, either below or above the line right on the start time according to who was at their work stations precisely on the start time.
Within a few weeks colouring in the squares became a ritual. 6 months after the chart was started I spoke to Mack a big gruff worker who was often late before. He now had a deliberateness and contented air about him. He was proud of his chart.
Making a behaviour measure visible
Making a behaviour measure visible simply allows people to make a choice without the supervisor saying a word,
"Is this an opportunity to grow, or not?"
All it took was for Patrick to implement the strategy with the honourable intention of helping his people enjoy the benefit of personal discipline.