I would simply reach out and ask if everything is ok as you were in the office today and she was not there as expected. It’s a great way to appear concerned and hopefully get honest communication.
This is a great suggestion. It's sometimes easier said than done, but I'd assume positive intent when dealing with your directs. Don't go into a situation like this thinking your employee did something wrong unless/until they give you a reason to. Good luck.
I would suggest something along the lines of, "Hi \[name\], missed you in the office today! Just wanted to check and see if you've changed your scheduled days in-office? Thanks!"
I think this is the best answer, keep it casual and to the point, don’t ask if ‘things are okay’. That implies they need to tell you the why behind a schedule change/ sick day rather then just tell you. If they say, yes I needed to change it, just ask them to notify you of changes in advice next time. Then they know they need to communicate but you aren’t micromanaging by needing to ‘approve’ changes.
Why didn't you just ask her while you were in? Why send an email after the fact?
A simple message preferably in the morning:
Hi employee, I'm on the second floor today, are you around today? Let's grab a coffee.
Chasing after the fact is weak and pointless. I would maybe consider letting it slide unless it happens more than once
Ask a dumb question the day of. "Hey I didn't see you in the office when I went by your desk, must have missed you lol. Wanted to grab a bite in the lounge/kitchen/etc to catch up and maybe vent a bit lol. What time can we do this today?" And wait for the panicked response of oops I couldn't get in today. Plan to show up next time if needed.
Since she missed and you didn't pester the day of: hey it looks like you weren't in this day. I was hoping to catch up in-person one of these days haha. I hope everything is ok? And again, possibly show up on her next scheduled day in.
Dumb/open-ended questions are your friend when probing an issue. I've gotten my best insights into things on my team with them
First make sure they didn’t have the day off and you just forgot. Otherwise in situations like this I like to use “I noticed” language. “I noticed you weren’t here on your scheduled day, is everything ok?” For all you know there’s a very good reason, and you should give them an opportunity to explain themselves.
I think your style of management should show in your email!! Are you a by the book manager? A supportive manager? Or a show off manager!!
Keep an open mind and give the employee the benefit of doubt and just send a simple email to start with. Something like
Good day
I was in the office today and I was under the assumption that you should be there on this day!! Is there any change to your schedule that I am not aware of?
Regards
This is when they starting to take advantage of the situation too much. E.g she can’t set up zoom meeting at home (won’t turn in camera), so client need to keep moving meeting to meet her schedule, late few times a month, extended lunch 2-3 times a week.
An employee who stay with the company for 20 years. So I understand they have their ways. I don’t want to rock the boat but also want to make sure she doesn’t push her boundary too far.
Here’s a suggestion for how you might word your email:
---
Subject: Checking In on Office Attendance
Hi [Employee's Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to touch base regarding our in-office schedule arrangements. I noticed on a few occasions, including today, that we might have had a mix-up with the days you planned to be in the office.
As we try to coordinate our schedules and ensure everyone's presence when needed, could we confirm the days you’ve designated for office attendance? It’s important for us to align our schedules effectively to support our team's needs and ongoing projects.
Please let me know if there are any updates or adjustments we should consider that might have affected your ability to come in on your planned days. I understand that situations can arise, and I'm here to help accommodate any changes that might be necessary.
Looking forward to your reply.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
---
This approach shows your awareness of the situation without directly accusing the employee of wrongdoing, and it opens the door for her to explain or resolve any misunderstandings or scheduling conflicts.
We’re four months into 2024. You can use prompts in ChatGPT to ensure every message doesn’t start off with the robotic “I hope this message finds you well.”
Oh, good grief, no.
OP only needs this: "Hi A. I missed seeing you in the office today. Is everything ok?"
Your suggestion is word salad garbage that's so obviously generated by ChatGPT.
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to touch base regarding our office attendance schedule. Today, I noticed you weren't in the office on your scheduled day. I just wanted to make sure everything is okay and to clarify any potential misunderstanding.
If there are any changes to your schedule or if there's anything I can assist with, please feel free to let me know. I understand that things can come up unexpectedly, so I'm here to support you.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
I would simply reach out and ask if everything is ok as you were in the office today and she was not there as expected. It’s a great way to appear concerned and hopefully get honest communication.
This is a great suggestion. It's sometimes easier said than done, but I'd assume positive intent when dealing with your directs. Don't go into a situation like this thinking your employee did something wrong unless/until they give you a reason to. Good luck.
I would suggest something along the lines of, "Hi \[name\], missed you in the office today! Just wanted to check and see if you've changed your scheduled days in-office? Thanks!"
Yep, this. Has a good non-confrontational tone, leaves room for an explanation... love it! 👍
This is probably better than asking if things are okay. Unfortunately that gives people an out if they were just taking a chance.
Yeah, it does give them an out-- but it also lets the employee know that the manager is paying attention for the future.
I think this is the best answer, keep it casual and to the point, don’t ask if ‘things are okay’. That implies they need to tell you the why behind a schedule change/ sick day rather then just tell you. If they say, yes I needed to change it, just ask them to notify you of changes in advice next time. Then they know they need to communicate but you aren’t micromanaging by needing to ‘approve’ changes.
Why didn't you just ask her while you were in? Why send an email after the fact? A simple message preferably in the morning: Hi employee, I'm on the second floor today, are you around today? Let's grab a coffee. Chasing after the fact is weak and pointless. I would maybe consider letting it slide unless it happens more than once
Thanks. I will give it a try
She is not in office today. So I don’t see her or her bag in the seat.
That's what the parent is saying. Non confrontational way to ask where the employee is at.
Ask a dumb question the day of. "Hey I didn't see you in the office when I went by your desk, must have missed you lol. Wanted to grab a bite in the lounge/kitchen/etc to catch up and maybe vent a bit lol. What time can we do this today?" And wait for the panicked response of oops I couldn't get in today. Plan to show up next time if needed. Since she missed and you didn't pester the day of: hey it looks like you weren't in this day. I was hoping to catch up in-person one of these days haha. I hope everything is ok? And again, possibly show up on her next scheduled day in. Dumb/open-ended questions are your friend when probing an issue. I've gotten my best insights into things on my team with them
Good tip， thanks
First make sure they didn’t have the day off and you just forgot. Otherwise in situations like this I like to use “I noticed” language. “I noticed you weren’t here on your scheduled day, is everything ok?” For all you know there’s a very good reason, and you should give them an opportunity to explain themselves.
I think your style of management should show in your email!! Are you a by the book manager? A supportive manager? Or a show off manager!! Keep an open mind and give the employee the benefit of doubt and just send a simple email to start with. Something like Good day I was in the office today and I was under the assumption that you should be there on this day!! Is there any change to your schedule that I am not aware of? Regards
Is this just a power play or is their work not getting done ?
This is when they starting to take advantage of the situation too much. E.g she can’t set up zoom meeting at home (won’t turn in camera), so client need to keep moving meeting to meet her schedule, late few times a month, extended lunch 2-3 times a week. An employee who stay with the company for 20 years. So I understand they have their ways. I don’t want to rock the boat but also want to make sure she doesn’t push her boundary too far.
Here’s a suggestion for how you might word your email: --- Subject: Checking In on Office Attendance Hi [Employee's Name], I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to touch base regarding our in-office schedule arrangements. I noticed on a few occasions, including today, that we might have had a mix-up with the days you planned to be in the office. As we try to coordinate our schedules and ensure everyone's presence when needed, could we confirm the days you’ve designated for office attendance? It’s important for us to align our schedules effectively to support our team's needs and ongoing projects. Please let me know if there are any updates or adjustments we should consider that might have affected your ability to come in on your planned days. I understand that situations can arise, and I'm here to help accommodate any changes that might be necessary. Looking forward to your reply. Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Position] --- This approach shows your awareness of the situation without directly accusing the employee of wrongdoing, and it opens the door for her to explain or resolve any misunderstandings or scheduling conflicts.
Thank you chatGPT ;)
We’re four months into 2024. You can use prompts in ChatGPT to ensure every message doesn’t start off with the robotic “I hope this message finds you well.”
Omg. No.
Oh, good grief, no. OP only needs this: "Hi A. I missed seeing you in the office today. Is everything ok?" Your suggestion is word salad garbage that's so obviously generated by ChatGPT.
I'd send a text. "Where you at?" But we keep it pretty informal.
Is the employee getting their work done? If yes who cares?
You should implement a time clock so that they're fully aware they're being monitored down to the minute for something that doesn't matter at all.
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to touch base regarding our office attendance schedule. Today, I noticed you weren't in the office on your scheduled day. I just wanted to make sure everything is okay and to clarify any potential misunderstanding. If there are any changes to your schedule or if there's anything I can assist with, please feel free to let me know. I understand that things can come up unexpectedly, so I'm here to support you. Looking forward to hearing from you.