theguardian.com
Late Work, Harsh Judgments
A new study reveals that late submissions, regardless of quality, are judged more harshly than on-time work, impacting employee perception and future opportunities.
English
United Kingdom
Labour MarketTime ManagementDeadlinesProcrastinationWork PerformanceEmployee Evaluation
University Of Toronto ScarboroughRotman School Of ManagementStanford University
Sam MaglioDavid Fang
- What are the implications of the study's findings for employees?
- While submitting work early doesn't seem to provide any significant advantage, submitting work late significantly impacts how the work is evaluated, and the perception of the employee. Realistic planning is key to avoid negative consequences.
- What is the main finding of the new research on procrastination?
- A new study reveals that late submissions are judged more harshly than on-time work, regardless of actual quality. The extra effort put into a late submission might not be appreciated by colleagues, and the lateness itself is seen as a negative factor.
- How was the study conducted, and what types of work were evaluated?
- The study surveyed thousands of people in the US and UK, including managers and HR personnel, who rated various types of work (advertising flyers, art, business proposals, etc.). Late submissions were consistently rated lower in quality, equivalent to objective shortcomings.
- What factors influence how negatively a missed deadline is perceived?
- The study suggests that the inability to plan realistically (the "planning fallacy") is a major factor, with reasons beyond an employee's control being viewed less negatively. Letting managers know about uncontrollable factors is important.
- What are the consequences of missing a deadline, according to the study?
- Missed deadlines led evaluators to perceive employees as having less integrity, impacting future collaborations and assignments. Even advance warning of a delay didn't mitigate the negative perception.