Why is it so difficult to let people know you're running late or not attending a meeting?

Jonathan_Powell

Started a job around a month ago and never in my career has it been so bad regarding cancelled meetings. With clients, I would say 40% of the calls I've had or shadowed are either more than 5 minutes late or simply don't show up without notice. Even now, last week I get a message from Universal Credit saying I have an appointment. I put aside time at work to deal with it and 10 minutes past the appointment date no one has called me or sent a message. I waste time preparing and waiting.

Is it a British thing? The whole thing around being too scared too say no? Seriously just don't understand it. 

Comms69

Fairly normal. 5-10 minutes is generally accepted. 

elsien

UC - expect any time that day, regardless of what time they have given.

AskAsk

i would always let someone know if i am not attending.  late up to 20 minutes, i would leave it as it could be due to travel delays and you can't call if you are driving or are on public transport without signal.

elsien

With regards to the appointments, quite honestly it depends what they're for.
If you're cold calling and making appointments, it's quite possible that if it's not hugely important to the person they've either forgotten or just not bothered to let you know they've changed their minds. If people were travelling to see me, I would definitely phone and cancel, if it was a phone call (and again depending on what it is) I might not think to do so on the basis that they've got other people they can get on with calling instead.

Brynsam

Jonathan_Powell said:

Started a job around a month ago and never in my career has it been so bad regarding cancelled meetings. With clients, I would say 40% of the calls I've had or shadowed are either more than 5 minutes late or simply don't show up without notice. Even now, last week I get a message from Universal Credit saying I have an appointment. I put aside time at work to deal with it and 10 minutes past the appointment date no one has called me or sent a message. I waste time preparing and waiting.

Is it a British thing? The whole thing around being too scared too say no? Seriously just don't understand it. 

Clearly the meetings are more important to you than to others supposed to be attending them. Making a fuss about someone being 5 or 10 minutes late is a guarantee of putting up your own stress levels.

Barny1979

It's rude and generally shows a lack of courtesy and that they consider their time more important than yours.

Barny1979

I also find that now all meetings are Teams meetings, it's given carte blanche for people to opt out of attending.

ToxicWomble

Barny1979 said:

It's rude and generally shows a lack of courtesy and that they consider their time more important than yours.

I’m with you @Barny1979

KatrinaWaves

What’s the job and what are these ‘clients’? As said, it’s unusual for most professionals to just not show up without telling someone, but if these are sales appts then people will just agree to get rid of you... 

Tealblue

Jonathan_Powell said:

Started a job around a month ago and never in my career has it been so bad regarding cancelled meetings. With clients, I would say 40% of the calls I've had or shadowed are either more than 5 minutes late or simply don't show up without notice. Even now, last week I get a message from Universal Credit saying I have an appointment. I put aside time at work to deal with it and 10 minutes past the appointment date no one has called me or sent a message. I waste time preparing and waiting.

Is it a British thing? The whole thing around being too scared too say no? Seriously just don't understand it. 

It isn't at all difficult, but perhaps you just need to chill out a bit instead of fervently counting the seconds? Maybe the 'clients' aren't as keen on the meetings as you are - what are you trying to sell?