Hi pooja...
I just went thru all those arguments and counter arguments ,all blame games etc...without going into the type of industry/organisation etc..let me share my thoughts and experiences..
First of all it will be very wrong to say as an HR fellow "that I've never asked you to sit late" Please!! it is every bodys company thats why we call it an organization.The system does not run on individual commands, desires ,wishes and likings. you cannot disown your employee nor can u dissociate urself from him. u are on the contrary ,at the centre of the mayhem..think rationaly,u may/may not agree with me.But ,thats the fact.
Now coming to the point of late coming,first the employee have to understand that due to excegencies and unavoidable reasons he/she may have to sit late,if u r compensating him for that it is not at all an issue,thats what we practice in our organization.so the employee has nothing to complain.everything gets resolved due to the monetary benefits associated with it. if the employee is sitting late just because he was not able to put up the show due to his lazyness or whatever may be the reason,its his responsibility to finish up the game and report back to office in time the next day.
I would suggest you to talk with the employee and explain to them ,their ownership of the organisation/the responsibility each one bears on his/her shouders.It is this sense of ownership of work/responsibility that makes the employee,self answerable. No one is a kid out there,it is a meticulously carved out system that inculcates the habit of owning the responsibility of anything. You at the mayhelm have to win their confidence,at first,do not be arrogant,be a friend,hear them,lend your shoulders to them to cry on,and then you imbibe in them the culture that u want them to cultivate. Arrogancy and rigidness only makes things bitter for both the parties,u r there to facilitate and not dictate.
Having said so,it is equally important to note that inspite of all the good practices ,there may be some who will always falter/try to take advantage of ur politeness/friendship,they need to be told in a clear and loud voice ur strictness and discipline. u need to have a carrot and a stick..
so,if the next time the employee sits late due to official reasons,ask him to be on time at the first instant,(if u r following monetary benefuts ,no withstanding late coming). if u r allowing the person to come late, only give half an hour for doing so.
If the person is sitting late due to his faults,there should be no ground for compassionate feelings.
with regards,
M.Biswas
Samsung Heavy Industries