Running late to work: what to text your boss
How late, a reason in three words, and your new time. That's the whole message.
To tell your boss you're running late, give three things: how late you'll be, a very short reason, and the time you'll arrive. For example: "I'm running about 15 minutes late because of traffic. I should be there by 9:15." Send it as soon as you know, not when you're already late.
The messages
Copy a message, then replace the parts in [square brackets] with your own details.
Formal
For a manager you don't know well, or when you're late for a meeting with a client.
Good morning [Name]. I'm sorry, but my train is delayed and I'll be about 20 minutes late. I expect to arrive at [9:20]. If the [9:00] meeting starts without me, I'll join as soon as I get in.
Neutral
For most bosses, most days.
Hi [Name], I'm running about 15 minutes late because of traffic. I should be there by [9:15].
Casual
For the team chat, when being a few minutes late is normal.
Running 10 min late, the bus didn't show up. Be there by [9:10]!
Why this works
- A number beats "a bit". "About 15 minutes" lets your boss decide if they should wait or start without you. "I'll be a bit late" makes them guess.
- The reason is short. "Traffic", "my train is delayed", "a problem with my son's school". One reason, no story. A long excuse sounds less true, not more.
- A clock time is the promise. "By 9:15" is easier to plan around than "in 15 minutes", because your boss may read the message ten minutes after you sent it.
- The formal version handles the meeting. If you're late for something specific, say what should happen without you.
How late is late? The right phrase
| How late | What to write |
|---|---|
| Under 10 minutes | "I'm running a few minutes late." / "I'll be 5 minutes late." |
| 10 to 30 minutes | "I'm running about 20 minutes late." |
| 30 to 60 minutes | "I'll be about half an hour late." / "I'll be about an hour late." |
| You don't know | "I'm stuck in traffic and not sure how long it will take. I'll update you in 20 minutes." |
| You won't make the morning | "I won't make it before 11. Can [Colleague] take the 10:00 call?" |
"I'm on my way" means you've already left. "I'm leaving now" means you're about to leave. Don't write "I'm coming" when you haven't left home yet.
Common mistakes
"I will arrive late 15 minutes." Spanish and Portuguese put the time after "late" (llegaré 15 minutos tarde, vou chegar 15 minutos atrasado). In English, the number goes before "late".
- ✗ I will arrive late 15 minutes.
- ✓ I'll be 15 minutes late.
"There is a traffic." Traffic is uncountable in English. It has no "a" and no plural.
- ✗ There is a big traffic on the highway.
- ✓ There's a lot of traffic on the highway. / The traffic is heavy.
"I will reach by 9:30." This is common in Indian English. In US and UK English, reach needs a place after it, or you use get there.
- ✗ I will reach by 9:30.
- ✓ I'll get there by 9:30. / I'll reach the office by 9:30.
If you're not coming in at all, use the sick leave templates or asking for a day off. For more chat messages to a manager, see how to message your boss on WhatsApp.
Questions
Do I need to give a reason for being late?
A short one helps, and three words are enough. If the reason is private, "something came up at home" is fine. What matters most is the new time.
When should I send the message?
As soon as you know you'll be late. If you leave home and the train is cancelled, send it from the platform, not when you arrive.
Is "I'm running late" too informal?
No. "I'm running late" is normal in every workplace, from the team chat to a message to a director. Add "I'm sorry" for the formal version.
What if I'm late a lot?
Then the message isn't enough. Talk to your boss in person, explain the cause once, and suggest a fix, like starting 30 minutes later and finishing later.
Your next message, already better.
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