Although time-keeping and attendance systems are just one of the many tools used by your business, they have far-reaching impact in terms of effectively managing human capital. With the help of an accurate, high-quality time-keeping system, you can optimize your business productivity, enhance compliance with wage and labor regulations, improve scheduling, and control overtime through reporting features.Without an adequate time-keeping and attendance system, you could be losing more time, money, and other resources than you know, which can harm your business’ growth and financial success. With the variety of systems in use, it may be challenging to determine the quality of the solution you are utilizing for your workforce. This scorecard can help you objectively assess your time-keeping system and determine if it’s time for an upgrade.
Criteria for a superior time-keeping system:
Customized to fit your company’s needs
There are a variety of different tools available for keeping time, both manual and automatic. Different methods include time clocks, mobile apps, telephone-enabled systems, and online programs.
You should choose a system that can be customized for your company’s objectives and unique business environment. If your employees are frequently working remotely, a time clock wouldn’t be as helpful as a system they can access from their phone, tablet, or laptop.
Additionally, a superior system will give you control over tracking and monitoring when your employees are “on the clock.” You also should be able to select the data reporting features that will help you make good business decisions, such as when you need higher volumes of staffing.
Cutting-edge Technology
Long gone are the days when employees would simply use a punch card to track their attendance at a worksite. Technologies have proliferated and there are numerous tools available, along with methods for clocking in. Various systems are able to use a fingerprint scan, a PIN, a badge swipe, VoiceClock, hand geometry, and/or other biometric options.
These technologies are available on different systems so you can choose the best fit for your particular work environment. Overall, these features can increase the convenience, accuracy, and efficiency of clocking in and allow you to easily review and manage employee data online. Different levels of biometric punching also prevents employees clocking in for their coworkers, or buddy punching.
Other features included on mobile apps or other systems include viewing time-off balances; viewing and approving or denying time-off requests; viewing employees currently clocked in; adding notes to time cards; and sending announcements to your team.
Robust Analytics
While numerous features can bolster the performance and convenience of your time-keeping system, the most important characteristic is how it records and reports analytics. When assessing your system’s analytics, certain ones are especially valuable because they allow you to identify and address problems.
Alarming trends to look for in your collected data include:
- Specific employees frequently running early or late
- Excessive use of overtime
- Hours or time periods where you need more employees to serve clients
You can use the wealth of data gathered through an efficient, technology-rich time-keeping system to better allocate your human resources and enhance overall productivity.
Advanced Automation
An effective time-keeping system will calculate an employee’s accumulated hours so you can get precise and accurate numbers. An automated system also prevents employees from rounding on their time cards. This may seem like a minor issue but, over time, it can pose a substantial cost for businesses in both employee wages and taxes. Rounding up and adding an extra five or 10 minutes here or there – especially if the practice happens frequently – can quickly translate into an ample amount of wasted time and labor.
Practical time-keeping devices with automated technology, such as the various options offered by PRemployer, give you the precise numbers you need for accurate budgeting and scheduling.
The Best Time-Keeping Systems for Businesses
If your current time-keeping system is lacking in automation, reporting and other critical features, you could be doing a major disservice to your company and its management. With the technology available today, you can find a solution that meets your business objectives and bolsters workplace productivity and efficiency. PRemployer provides a number of industry-leading time clock and attendance systems – along with other important HR services – that utilize modern technologies and can be configured to suit a wide range of business environments.
