Whatever type of organization you run, and whatever type of product or service you produce, time and attendance has a hugely significant role to play, and here’s why:
The importance of time and attendance:
The data produced from time and attendance systems can (and should) be used to help businesses make more informed decisions about a variety of business-related topics, such as sales predictions, workforce demand and the number of hours available for your workers, to name but a few. As such, having accurate information about the timeliness and attendance of your employees, is critical for the long-term success of any business.
Additionally, should there happen to be a significant trend of absenteeism, you could have high turnover and other staffing issues.
How can you accurately track time and attendance?
Having a software compatible time and attendance system can help you effectively track your employees and ultimately, better manage them and your entire business.
What is a time and attendance system?
Empowering employees to be responsible for the recording of their own timekeeping, a time and attendance system is in essence, a clock module that enables employers to see exactly when their employees arrive and leave their place of work, and can even be used to track breaks and other occasions when an employee may leave their work space. A variety of systems can be used:
- Numeric pad entry
Perhaps the most common of all hourly tracking modules, this system is frequently used in retail and quick-service restaurants
- Electronic swipe functions
If your business employs a larger number of workers, then you may prefer a system like this. Employees receive a key fob or swipe card with an RFID element embedded within, which is then used to enable them to gain entry to the workspace, but may not always be used as a clocking in and out system.
- Biometric access
In much the same way as a numeric pad entry, this time clock gives employees access for general and other designated area entry using voice recognition, fingerprint, handprint or retinal scan.
- Employee self-service
Offsite workers or those who travel for work, are able to download an app to their mobile device, from which they can use a password to clock in and out for the day, or for lunch breaks.
- Cloud-based software or website
Similar to an employee self-service app, employees can log into the site or software and record time worked on projects, clock in and out when required, review benefits information and submit requests for leave. This time and attendance system is most compatible with payroll software.
Why all businesses should use a time and attendance system:
Accountability is the primary purpose of employee attendance reporting, and can help a business understand whether its workforce is adequate, if productivity output is high enough, the morale of its employees and whether there is a need for further development. Of course, it also helps identify high turnover and absenteeism.
Ultimately, however you plan to use the data retrieved from a time and attendance system, it can help your business grow by producing infallible numbers, and to know more about implementing such a system at your workplace, talk to a payroll specialist.