A Two-Line Message When You Are Late

Message to your manager, 8:12 a.m.: Hi Dana, my train is delayed. I will be about thirty minutes late. I will join the stand-up from my phone. Sorry for the trouble. That is the whole thing. Two short lines. Send it the moment you know you are late.

The message has only two jobs. Line one says how late you will be. Line two says what happens to your work. Do not write a long story about the train. Your manager only needs to plan the morning. A short message is easier to read and easier to send.

Give a real number, not a vague word. "A bit late" makes people guess. "About thirty minutes" lets them decide. If you are not sure, give your best guess and update it later. One update is fine. Five updates make you look nervous.

Now cover your work. If you have a meeting, say who will start it. If a client is waiting, say when you will call. Here is a second version: Hi Dana, I am running late and will be in by ten. Ravi will cover the client call at nine thirty.

Apologise once, and keep it light. "Sorry for the trouble" is enough. Do not promise to stay late to make up for it. And send the message before you are late, not after. Ten minutes of warning is worth more than a long apology at noon.