Tracking employees timely is vital to all business models. Equally essential is selecting an effective attendance tracking system that’s not problematic and time-consuming to employees. Else, data may become undependable for reporting, labor records, or any other task that relies on accuracy.
Disclosure: This is a guest post and the author’s views here do not necessarily reflect those of the blog owner.
The essential thing is assessing what’s on the market and picking the appropriate solution. Here are the top five advanced ways companies can track employee timesheets.
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5 Improved ways to track employee timesheets
1. Manual timekeeping
Using a pen and paper to track employees’ timesheets may be a practical solution if you have a small company. A pen and paper or even an excel spreadsheet provide you with a simple way to track employee hours. However, this method becomes problematic as the business grows. Another disadvantage of this option is that it has issues if you want to track staff’s time precisely. While this time tracking way may not be the most advanced, it’s an artless solution that needs insignificant employee training. If your employees record their time on pen and paper, consider putting the data into a spreadsheet app, such as Google Sheets or Excel.
2. Use a time clock
Most time clock systems, offer several ways in which employees can clock in and out. For example, using software such as payclock online allows you to keep track of employees’ timesheets from anywhere. Using this type of software means you have a designated clock-in location where staff can record their time. Still, they can do so from their smartphones, laptops, or even desktops. Configuring a time clock is as simple as downloading the software and registering employees to let them clock in and out. The best thing about a time clock is that it allows you to export employee time data to a payroll system for fast and seamless payment.
3. Use a mobile application
Mobile applications are useful for tracking clock-in and clock-out times for hourly, contract, or salaried employees. Your staff can access a time clock through their Android and iOS devices with mobile software. So, if the employees have specific shift hours, the application can prompt them to clock in, clock out, or even take a break during the shift. However, before choosing a mobile app to track employee timesheets, it would be wise of you to ensure all employees have access to a smartphone. If not, figure out a way to log their time.
4. Biometric clocking system
Biometric clocking systems have become prevalent in businesses over the last few years due to their incredible benefits. A biometric clocking system uses facial recognition and fingerprints to authorize your identity. The good thing about this method is that employees cannot clock in on behalf of their colleagues. What’s more, the system tracks the hours worked until clocking out. The only drawback of this system is that it needs some training.
5. URL tracking and browser plug-ins
If the employees predominantly work from desktops and laptops, it may be better to figure out how to record their time. In this case, a time clock that tracks their URL or offers a browser plug-in timer may be the best option. A timer comes in handy if you require the employees to log time on a client’s project. With one or two mouse clicks, your staff can start or stop a timer from recording the current occurrences. Afterward, they can send the hours worked to a designated timesheet in real-time. Another way to track how employees use their time entails installing a time clock tool that tracks the visited URLs. After finding out how staff spends their time, you can derive much better ways to become efficient.
The final say
In conclusion, several ways of tracking employees’ time sheets exist, as seen above. Selecting the best method for your company needs some research. Whether you will use manual techniques, software, or time clock, it is sensible to note that some ways are better than others based on your business. A method that integrates with a payroll solution is a worthy investment. All in all, accurately logging employees’ time in real-time allows your business to get innovative and better insights into employee efficiency and labor costs. You can initiate cost-effective scheduling decisions that lower overtime expenses with these insights.
This is a guest post by Sheryl Wright.
Sheryl Wright is a freelance writer who specializes in digital marketing, inclusive business, and interior design. If she is not at home reading, she is at a farmer’s market or climbing in the Rockies. She currently lives in Nashville, TN, with her cat, Saturn.