Top Ten Excuses For Lateness - And Reasons You Won't Get An Award

In these challenging times employees and companies both need to be more adaptable and possibly take on a different and more flexible work ethic approach. There are still some employees that may well get a long service reward or thankful retirement present like an engraved silver pocket watch or tankard.

There are some companies that reward 'Employee of the Month' awards for those who might have brought in the most leads, revenue or even closed the most customer service calls. The reward might even be for a simple act that went above your duties such as helping out at an exhibition or staying late for that important e-shot.

It would make anyone wonder if employees who have has used these excuses will be getting an award for their contributions to the workplace. There are genuine reasons for lateness (of course), but some of these excuses for not turning up to work, or turning up late, would make any HR department wonder....

10: I can't get my car/truck/bike out of the garage - If there has been a power failure preventing you from opening your electic garage doors, this is a pull cord that operates perfectly fine and get you into the garage and in work.

9. Death in Family - never, ever use this one - if it is not true. Not only is it awful but you will also have to remember your lie as you cannot lose certain relations more than once.

8. Any kind of car trouble - especially if you have just brought a brand new car!

7. Alarm didn't go off - The mobile phone can be blamed for not being able to use this excuse anymore. Power cuts effect electrical items not mobile phone alarms

6. Lost car keys - This can work and can also be a genuine reason. Try not to use this all the time though.

5. Bad traffic - Often a genuine reason, but if you are late every day - get up earlier. This excuse will only work if no other employees take the same route as you. Problems on a side road will not work if your boss was on the same stretch of road as you.

4. Police stop - Can be a good reason, but not one to use on a regular basis

3. Lift broke - I have had to run up all the stairs to reach the office.

2. Car parking space - got all the way into work and nowhere to park. You know the parking situation, it isn't going to change overnight so make you you get to work earlier enough to get a space or source alternative arrangements like car sharing or public transport.

1. Public transport - Again this one is viable. However transport delays are detailed on news sites and saying a train was late when another employee uses the same train at the same time can result in a problem.

Hopefully no-one uses these excuses all the time as the workplace is important and if you want the chance to earn a silver pocket watch or other reward - plan ahead.

Pocket Watch For A Different Valentines Day Gift

If you are looking for something slightly different this Valentines Day then why not consider jewellery with a difference like a pocket watch or maybe cufflinks. Traditional presents, whilst fun and romantic at the time, do not always last to the end of February. Those novelty books or mugs or clothes might be fun to buy but get put in a drawer never to be seen again.

Men buying for their girlfriends or wives might get chocolates or flowers but these won't last until the end of February and tend to be more expensive around February anyway. If you are stuck for ideas then the cuddly toys are good but what about a stylish pocket watch alternative like a pendant watch that can be worn around the neck.

Here are some ideas for Valentines Day gifts - both traditional and unusual:

10: Cards
9. Novelty clothes and underwear
8. Cinema tickets
7. Jewellery (cufflinks, necklaces,pendant watches, a pocket watch)
6. Perfume / aftershave
5. A day out or evening meal together
4. Flowers /balloon in the box alternative for men
3. Chocolates
2. Cuddly teddy bears
1. Marriage Proposal!!! or something less expensive a personalised photo or canvas gift.

Pocket Watches Make Good Retirement Gifts For Employees

The current economic situation has mean't that alot of employees dont always stay within the same company from when the start work to when they retire. There are alot of reasons which include relocation, the company moving premises, more money or benefits at another company or the person might want a complete career change.

Therefore, it is even more important that if there is an employee that has been with a company from the beginning and they are due to retire then a nice present would be appreciated. In these economic times some companies might not think of investing alot of money towards a present, but that employee has been with the company for several years and has remained loyal for those decades.

A nice reward could be a gold or silver pocket watch that either has the company name on the back of the pocket watch or a nice engraved message with dates engraved on the back. If that person has a hobby that they will be involved in more after retirement then why not give a pocket watch with that sport on the front, like a hunting or fishing pocket watch.

Ladies that may be retiring might not appreciate a pocket watch, but pendant watches make great alternatives. Although they cannot be engraved or come personalised with a hobby or sport as these are more petite style watches to be worn around the neck.