Running late text to your boss

Running late

Day outBack on

Not sure when I'm backManager's name

Who can coverYour name

Text toyour manager

Hi , I'm running about 30 minutes late this morning. I'll be in by 9:30 and will join the standup from my phone if it starts before then.

Professional · text · 1 of 2

Out for the day or longer? Set an auto reply too; your dates come with you.

Write the out of office reply

A running late text gives your manager the one number they need, the time you will actually arrive, plus what happens to anything you were due at, as in "Hi Dana, I'm running about 30 minutes late this morning. I'll be in by 9:30 and will join the standup from my phone if it starts before then."

Send it the moment you know, give a time rather than a guess like "a bit late", and keep the reason to a few words such as traffic, a train delay or car trouble.

All 12 replies on this page

Type your details in the writer and every reply below fills itself in.

Professional 4

Hi [Manager's name], I'm running about 30 minutes late this morning. I'll be in by 9:30 and will join the standup from my phone if it starts before then.
Text
[Manager's name], my train is delayed and I'll be roughly 20 minutes late, in by about 9:20. Nothing is affected; my first meeting isn't until 11.
Text
Running late this morning
Hi [Manager's name], I'm running late this morning because of a transit delay and expect to arrive around 10. I've let the 9:30 group know I'll dial in from the train, and the agenda is already shared. I'll check in with you when I'm at my desk. Thanks, [Your name]
Email
Starting late today, in by noon
Hi [Manager's name], I have a home repair visit this morning that I couldn't move, so I'll start late today and be online by noon. My morning tasks are scheduled to run without me, and [Who can cover] is covering the help desk queue until I log in. Best, [Your name]
Email

Warm 4

Morning [Manager's name]! Traffic is backed up and I'm going to be about 15 minutes late, in around 9:15. Sorry about that. Grab me when I'm in if you need anything.
Text
Hey [Manager's name], the car wouldn't start so I'm sorting a ride now. I should be in by 10. [Who can cover] can open up until I get there.
Text
Sorry, running late
Hi [Manager's name], I'm sorry, but I'm going to be about half an hour late today. The school drop-off took longer than planned. I'll be in by 9:30 and can stay a little later to make up the time if that helps. Thanks for your patience, [Your name]
Email
Late start this morning
Hi [Manager's name], Quick note that I'm off to a late start: my car battery died and I'm waiting on a jump. I expect to be in by 10:30. If the client call can't wait, [Who can cover] has the notes and is happy to lead it until I arrive. Thanks, [Your name]
Email

Brief 4

Running 20 minutes late, [Manager's name]. In by 9:20.
Text
Hi [Manager's name], stuck in traffic, in by 9:15. Will text if it gets worse.
Text
Running late, in by 9:45
Hi [Manager's name], running about 20 minutes late. I'll be in by 9:45 and will catch up on the morning notes. [Your name]
Email
Late start today
Hi [Manager's name], I'm delayed this morning and will be online by 10. [Who can cover] is covering the phones until then. [Your name]
Email

What to leave out

"On my way" without a time. Your manager plans around the arrival time, not the journey.
Long stories about the commute. One phrase of reason is enough.
Arrival times you will miss. Add ten minutes to your honest guess.
Silence until you walk in. A late text sent early beats an apology at the door.
Texting while driving. Pull over or ask a passenger to send it.

Filling it in

Pick a text for the usual case and an email if you are starting late on purpose, such as a repair visit or school drop-off. Edit the minutes and the arrival time in the message to match your morning, and add who can cover anything that starts before you arrive.

Questions people ask

What do I text my boss if I am running late?

Give the time you will arrive, not just that you are late, and say what happens to anything you were due at, like joining a meeting by phone. Add a one-phrase reason if you like: traffic, a train delay, car trouble. Send it as soon as you know.

How late is late enough to message my manager?

If you will miss the start of your shift or a meeting, send a message. For a few minutes in a flexible office, most managers will not mind either way, but a quick text costs nothing. Shift workplaces often have a set rule, so follow your workplace policy where one exists.