The Employee Who Was Always Late

The Late-Morning Rush, and the Relationship I Eventually Ended

A small story from work life—about time, attitude, and the moment I realized some relationships don’t move forward.

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I. Back Then

I’d take the bus from home to the subway station, then sprint the moment I got off.

The second I stepped onto the platform, I’d hear the warning chime—beep-beep-beep—and even if I ran down the stairs two steps at a time, the screen doors would close right in front of me.

“Today is one of those days… great. Eight minutes until the next train.”

At every stop, my heart would race whenever the doors didn’t close quickly enough. And the moment I arrived at the station near the office, I’d run again—like my life depended on it.

I would finally arrive at 9:00 a.m., drenched in sweat.

“Can’t you walk faster?”

Another scolding from someone above me.

“If I’m going to start the day this anxious, I should leave earlier tomorrow.”

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II. The Employee Who Was Always Late

Time passed, and I became a team leader.

Then I noticed one team member who was late two or three times a week—almost without fail.

We didn’t have a bad relationship, so I tried to calm things down with kind words. For a few days, they arrived on time… and then they were late again.

The manager who used to say, “Can’t you walk faster?” was still my boss.

“Are you going to manage your people properly?”

I swallowed my frustration. “Ah… the stress…”

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III. The Commute I Saw by Accident

One morning, I had to take care of something briefly before heading to the office. It was around 9:15 a.m.

And then I saw a familiar walk.

No running. No hurry. Just a relaxed pace—eyes on their phone—as if time had nothing to do with them.

“What…? How can someone be like that?”

I couldn’t let it continue, so I started requiring a written explanation every time they were late.

Each time, they looked annoyed. And strangely, I found myself watching my own tone—worrying about how they would react.

“What did I do wrong?”

Once or twice a month, I still heard this in a cold, professional tone.

“Team Leader, are you qualified for this role?

Attendance management is the basics, isn’t it?”

Because it came from someone I had known for a long time, it was even more stressful.

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IV. Closing the Relationship

Eventually, that employee resigned.

Our relationship hadn’t been terrible, so about a month later, we made plans for dinner.

I arrived early with another teammate and waited at the meeting spot.

I expected it, but they weren’t there at the agreed time.

“I’m leaving now.”

Forty minutes later, they arrived—completely unfazed.

Time may not carry the same weight for everyone.

But if someone treats not only their own time that way, but other people’s time as well…

That night was the last time we met. I quietly closed that relationship.