For many employers, showing up early at work is what they desire from any employee. However, this isn’t always the case. A punctual employee displays dedication and seriousness for what they do. Moreover, this comes with benefits for an individual much as it does for the organisation. Mazen Halawyi, a business person in Kigali, says being able to always be on time shows someone’s professionalism and it has something to do with their dedication in all aspects. He says, as a business person, showing up early at work gives him enough time to plan and organise tasks at a comfortable pace, adding that it also gives him ample time to handle unexpected issues. Halawyi believes that this trait doesn’t only apply to business, but rather in all aspects of life. For instance, he mentions that being on time for work is an important part of being a dependable employee. “One thing I believe is that when you are an early bird, it helps highlight your trustworthiness and reliability as an employee. Consistently being punctual in everything you do can help you meet standards of professionalism. “Depending on the area you are in, this can also increase your value as an employee and help you advance your career in general,” he says. Yvette Nkurunziza, an entrepreneur, says while working on deadlines, planning your work early enough can not only help you as an individual but also your team to meet deadlines. She explains that when you wake up early, getting to work on time becomes easier thus you can have enough time to accomplish many tasks early in the day, which can allow you to clear time for other important tasks. This, in the end, can help you meet deadlines more easily without rushing through tasks, she says. She notes that nowadays it’s easy to find most employees stressed because of too much work on their shoulders. However, she points out that at times when you embrace the culture of waking up early and maintaining it, it keeps off the unnecessary stress. “This can also give you more time to handle unexpected issues like interferences from co-workers which can affect work,” she says. Being early, Nkurunziza says has a way it helps improve relationships with others. Here, she explains that arriving to work on time can show that you respect others’ time (those who keep time)-another indication to your teammates that you are dedicated to doing your work, which at times can give morale to others to always keep time. Halawyi, on the other hand, points out that when you are up early, there are high possibilities that your productivity will increase, irrespective of what you are into. “Being on time can help you stay focused on your work and avoid distracting your co-workers by coming in late. This can help everyone maintain a steady workflow, thus improve productivity in general,” he says. For leaders, he says that this is another trait that can help others believe in you as a leader. He notes that consistently being on time for work portrays your leadership skills and potential as well. “This can also help you set a good example for your colleagues, just by being punctual. It means that you are responsible, committed, and ambitious, which are traits of good leaders,” he adds.
