"In terms of carrots, we found that higher wages, performance pay and other incentive schemes reduced lateness,"

said Ken Clark, who has been researching the issue for Manchester University.

The study found that the average worker is late once a month, with the figure rising to four times a month for the especially tardy, The Scotsman reported.

It also discovered that the happier people were at work, the more likely they were to be punctual.

And if you can't keep 'em happy - you could try the stick approach.

Mr Clark added:

"For example, our sample were asked how long it would take them to be dismissed for persistent lateness, and those who said it would be immediate or very quick were much less likely to be late."