Oct 16, 2023

Is This Your Situation: Confused About How to Track Attendance

Tracking the time of your hourly workers in an effective way might be the most important thing you do as an employer. Read through to see how technology can streamline the process and improve accuracy.

While standard time clocks and punch cards are still being used, they have long been subject to tampering, misuse and accidental recordings. Over the years, various technological resources have emerged to help companies better track the time of their hourly employees. Everything from electronic clocks to biometric tools can keep your records up to date and your employees paid on time. Here are some ways technology can help you track attendance.

• Online timekeeping. There are multiple online services that are either free or come as part of a payroll and accounting package that offer the ability for your employees to track their time online. This is particularly helpful with any off-site employees or even temporary workers.
• Access cards. Another popular tool for many businesses is an entry keycard. It is used to access the building and then to exit and re-enter the building during lunch hours and breaks. This then records the information and provides it to the payroll department. It is much more reliable than time clocks, but still has some vulnerabilities.
• RFID scanners. A new version of the access card technology, which in the past often needed an imbedded antenna coil and capacitor to work, is RFID, which stands for radio frequency identification. This uses electromagnetic fields to transfer data and doesn't need to be waved in proximity to a reader. Employees will be tracked simply by having it on their person in the office. 
• Biometric readers. Don't you love in the movies when people use a thumbprint or a retinal scan to enter a classified room in their building? These things are no longer science fiction. They can be used in office buildings today to track the movement of your employees and, by default, track their time on the job.

How does your company currently record time for hourly employees?

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