I've never been late either (i always show up at least 10 minutes early just to be safe) so I would hope if I was running late someone would call because that would probably mean something was wrong
We had an etl who wouldn't let us clock in till right at 6 am on the dot. She said there was too much payroll wasted by people clocking in early. So for two yearsv that was the "rule". Now they don't care.
Calls are never made from my store. Something about a policy about never contacting TMs. They used to reach out asking for help on the rare occasion that 90% of the shift called out but a local ordinance now prohibits any sort of offers of additional hours lest the TM be paid extra ... which ain't gunna happen haha. So now ... no calls period.
5-minutes early is allowed at my store providing you proceed directly to your work center and begin. Otherwise, HR gets a bit salty ... with good reason, of course.