They just need the proper wake up call. My first real job was for a boss who not only wanted punctuality, he wanted you to be early. (no he was not Tom Coughlin). During my first month I was 10 minutes late one day and the senior VP ushered me into his office. Asked what the problem was which I stated I had over slept. He called me over to his wondow and from that vantage point we could see a bunch of people milling about. He said they are looking for your job. There was a recession in the early 60’s. I said, I get the message and no I will not be late again. Not there, not anywhere.
Good story. I have always been one to be early, but worked at a job some years ago, for which one of the employees was chronically late. This was frowned upon, of course, but the only penalty was people frowning about it. She decided to turn over a new leaf and try to be on time more. After she had been on time for 8 out of 10 days in a 2 week period, the boss went all nuts making a big deal about how wonderful she was. Man, was I PISSED about that.