"My car is broken and I can't go to work...."

[kirk]

OK, please talk me off the ledge.

I have NEVER called my manager and said "I can't come to work because my car is broken." If I have ever had car trouble, I have always found a way to get to work. My job is important to me, and I do not want to risk losing it, or a day of pay.

So now, I am the manager. I manage a team of salespeople ranging in age from 20-28. We are supposed to be "sales professionals" working for "a world class selling organization." There is a certain level of commitment and passion expected of each of the salespeople, which was explained when each of them was selected for their roles.

I have a really difficult time with the "I can't come to work because my car is broken" excuse. Especially when it comes from a less than enthusiastic and average performer.

We run extremely lean team, which means that if one person falls out, an unreasonable amount of stress is put on the rest of the team.

Am I nuts, or unreasonable?

[Rich]

I think they better come up with a better excuse than that to miss work. Not that everybody doesn't just play hookey every now and then, but the excuse should be important enough to warrant the day. Heart attack, strangled the wife and in jail, etc, now those excuses have weight

[ZOMB13]

I also think its not a good excuse to miss a WHOLE day of work.
Im in this situation every time I take my car to work (30 minutes away) my car is having major problems, but I need to get to work, if and WHEN it does break down, I will call in and tell them I will be LATE, but I won't tell them I won't come in.

[OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S]

That line is quite worn and has lost all validity, unless you can really prove you had car trouble with towing bills etc...

[Paul_R]

I'm Guilty!!!! Awhile ago, my car did break down on the way to work and I had about 18-20 miles to go. I decided to call in and tell work my situation and they understood my dilema as long as I had plans to fix the car and come in the next day. So I took a ride with the tow truck and my car, and had it fixed at the end of the day.

I think I saved money just getting the car fixed with the time I had for that day instead of ditching the car till after work. I guess it depends on the type of job. If it's a job that is highly depended on attendance, then I'd have to weigh the costs vs benefits.

It's not a good excuse to skip work. I'd rather tell them I've been on the crapper all night, but I rarely call in with an excuse to just skip work. If I miss work, then that's more time till I have enough money for my next guitar!

Paul

[carlos grijalva]

Mmmm i've heard better, try "my grandmother died"

[damo7v]

it really depends on what car it is.

"my hyundai died so i won't be in today" does not work, as hyundai's are mere basic transportation, bought by practical people who would be able to find other modes of basic transport into the office.

on the other hand, "my wrx sti died so i won't be in today" is completely valid. in fact, i'd be surprised if your boss didn't take the day off with you to console you with a few beers and some nudie mags.

[ZOMB13]

Originally Posted by damo7v

it really depends on what car it is.

"my hyundai died so i won't be in today" does not work, as hyundai's are mere basic transportation, bought by practical people who would be able to find other modes of basic transport into the office.

on the other hand, "my wrx sti died so i won't be in today" is completely valid. in fact, i'd be surprised if your boss didn't take the day off with you to console you with a few beers and some nudie mags.

Is that the line you'll be usin? "my wrx sti died so i won't be in today
hahahaha
nice car damo

[damo7v]

Originally Posted by Sabu2k1

Is that the line you'll be usin?

i haven't worked in over three years. i'm more likely to use that excuse to get out of visiting the in-laws.

[JJEMMER777]

ONE day max!!!

But you'd better get out the hammer and rearrange your q-panel

Originally Posted by damo7v

i haven't worked in over three years. i'm more likely to use that excuse to get out of visiting the in-laws.

God how do you handle that?? Been two and a half months for me and I'm goin crazy!!!

I can't get the in-laws outta here

[andy7jem]

Originally Posted by Paul_R

I'd rather tell them I've been on the crapper all night,

Paul

Don't ya just love the poetry of language??
The trouble with that one is trying to remember how to spell "diarrhoea" on your sick form!!!

[fettouhi]

That trick won't work for me I don't have a car or a drivers license .

Regards

André

[Davey]

Originally Posted by kirk

OK, please talk me off the ledge.

I have NEVER called my manager and said "I can't come to work because my car is broken." If I have ever had car trouble, I have always found a way to get to work. My job is important to me, and I do not want to risk losing it, or a day of pay.

So now, I am the manager. I manage a team of salespeople ranging in age from 20-28. We are supposed to be "sales professionals" working for "a world class selling organization." There is a certain level of commitment and passion expected of each of the salespeople, which was explained when each of them was selected for their roles.

I have a really difficult time with the "I can't come to work because my car is broken" excuse. Especially when it comes from a less than enthusiastic and average performer.

We run extremely lean team, which means that if one person falls out, an unreasonable amount of stress is put on the rest of the team.

Am I nuts, or unreasonable?

No, screw them for being so lazy when it comes to their excuse.

If they're genuinely struggling with their car, they'll most probably get a taxi or get someone they know to drop them off. I would definitely be doing the "Silent Freak-out" if someone pulled that on me (yes I am the boss when Ma and Pa aren't around )

They could at least tell you they're being checked for VD or something else you probably wouldn't want your boss knowing, that way, self-embarassment = genuine.

[mi2tom]

IMO it's a lame excuse

[Flobanez]

That has happened to me before, I think i've only used that excuse once after the real deal though. Sorry to hear that, hopefully you can get it repaired quickly.