3 Employee Time Tracking Methods Rated
There are many ways of setting up employee time tracking. Some are better than others, but they all work to achieve the same goal: to track an employee’s time and attendance.
WHAT IS EMPLOYEE TIME TRACKING?
Simply put, employee time tracking is the measurement and documentation of the hours your employees work. Using technology allows us to save time and be more efficient, and there are various options available. The following are some employee time tracking methods that we have rated from most effective, to least effective.
1. Biometric time clock
In our opinion, this is the best employee time tracking option. Using a biometric time clock offers several benefits, including:
Accuracy: Biometric time clocks ensure accurate tracking of employee attendance, eliminating errors associated with manual timekeeping or badge-based systems.
Preventing buddy punching: Biometric time clocks use unique physical traits like fingerprints or facial recognition to verify identity, minimizing the risk of employees clocking in or out for each other.
Enhanced Security: Biometric data is difficult to forge or replicate, providing an additional layer of security.
Reduced Administrative Burden: Automating timekeeping processes with biometric technology reduces the need for manual data entry and oversight, streamlining payroll tasks.
2. Badges
This employee time tracking method is common in larger corporations, where employees can track their hours seamlessly by scanning their badge or ID on a time clock. This method is not as secure as biometric time keeping and increases the risk of buddy punching. Badge time clock benefits include:
Convenience: Badge time clocks are easy to use and familiar to employees. They simply need to swipe their badge to clock in or out.
Integration: Many badges can integrate seamlessly with other HR and payroll software ensuring accurate records for payroll processing.
Flexibility: Badge time clock systems can accommodate various types of badges or cards, allowing for flexibility in implementation based on the organization’s needs and preferences.
3. Paper Time Cards
This is the most “old school” way there is of time tracking. In the past, there was no technology available to track the hours worked by each employee, so employees had to write hours down on a piece of paper and keep track of their hours that way. This is the least effective way of time tracking because so many things can go wrong including:
Errors: Manual entry of time data on paper time cards is prone to errors, such as missed entries or illegible handwriting, leading to inaccuracies in payroll processing
Time-Consuming: Managing paper time cards requires significant time and effort, both for employees and payroll staff.
Potential for Fraud: Paper time cards are susceptible to fraud, such as buddy punching or employees falsifying their hours.
Storage: Storing and organizing paper time cards can be cumbersome, leading to difficulties in retrieving historical data or auditing records when needed.
EMPLOYEE TIME TRACKING SOFTWARE BUILT FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Having an effective time and attendance software not only makes your employees’ lives easier, but it also reduces the workload of your HR department. AAB Payroll’s time and attendance software allows hours to automatically and seamlessly flow into payroll, which means no dual entry between platforms. AAB Payroll also offers multiple input options such as biometric time clocks, mobile punching, and PC punching to collect time. Keep in mind that as an employer, you need to stay compliant with Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) laws and having a good time and attendance software can help you do that. AAB Payroll’s software allows you to quickly produce reports of hours worked and paid with the Reporting feature.
Speak to our expert payroll team to see how AAB Payroll's software can help you stay efficient, productive, and compliant. Our free, no-obligation demo is the perfect way to see how our software works.
Find out about our Time & Attendance platform here.
