The idea of arriving “on time” at work—long considered a basic professional standard—is undergoing a noticeable shift. New research suggests that for many in Generation Z, arriving 5 to 10 minutes late is still considered punctual. In contrast, older Baby Boomer managers largely view any delay as unacceptable. This divergence is creating a widening cultural gap in today’s workplace.
A study conducted by the online meeting platform Meeting Canary surveyed over 1,000 adult workers in the UK, revealing striking generational differences in attitudes toward punctuality. Nearly half of Gen Z respondents (ages 16–26) said that arriving 5–10 minutes late still counts as being on time. In other words, a delay of up to ten minutes is not perceived as lateness at all.
However, tolerance for tardiness declines with age. Around 40% of Millennials consider a 10-minute delay acceptable, but this drops to 26% among Generation X and just 20% among Baby Boomers. Most notably, 70% of Baby Boomer managers said they are not tolerant of any delay—viewing even a one-minute lateness as unacceptable.
One key factor behind this shift is the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Gen Z workers began their careers remotely, where minor delays—often due to technical issues—were commonplace and generally accepted. As a result, they may not have experienced the social discomfort of walking into a physical meeting late and facing colleagues’ scrutiny.
Laura van Beers, founder of Meeting Canary, explains: “Gen Z places greater emphasis on work-life balance and mental health than previous generations. Rushing to be exactly on time for meetings can feel like unnecessary stress to them.”
The differences extend beyond punctuality. The study found that Gen Z workers miss about 25% of their weekly deadlines on average, compared to just 6% for Baby Boomers and 10% for Generation X. At the same time, Gen Z employees tend to spend more time on non-essential tasks and are more likely to work overtime. This suggests the issue may not be laziness, but rather weaker time management skills.
The debate has also surfaced in public commentary. Oscar-winning actress Jodie Foster recently criticized her Gen Z colleagues for not starting work before 10:30 a.m. Similarly, an MIT interviewer noted concerns about habitual lateness among younger workers. However, Nick South, Managing Director at Boston Consulting Group, offers a more balanced view. He argues that this is not unique to Gen Z but a common phase for young professionals learning workplace norms. “All of us needed time to develop professional discipline early in our careers,” he said.
Experts suggest that resolving this generational tension will require flexibility on both sides. Gen Z employees need to better understand workplace expectations around punctuality and professionalism. Meanwhile, older leaders must recognize that post-pandemic work
culture—and younger employees’ expectations—have evolved. Embracing flexible schedules, prioritizing mental well-being, and focusing on results rather than rigid timekeeping may offer a more effective path forward.
