March 14, 2023

When it comes to tracking employee time, companies now have a lot of options to choose from. The most popular methods of employee time tracking include online time clock systems, biometrics, apps, and badge systems. Each system offers its own set of features and capabilities, allowing companies to tailor their time tracking solution to their specific needs.

When choosing an employee time clock system, the most important feature to consider is how accurately it tracks employee time. Systems that use biometrics, like fingerprint scanning or facial recognition, are the most accurate and secure.

Biometric Employee Time Clocks

Biometrics are becoming increasingly popular for employee time tracking, as they now are affordable and provide a layer of security and accuracy that traditional time tracking methods can’t match.

Biometric systems use physical characteristics such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris recognition to identify employees and accurately record the times they start and end their shifts. These systems prevent employees from clocking in or out more than once, stealing time from the company, or claiming hours they didn’t work.

When looking for an employee time clock system, consider the features that will be most beneficial to your business. Think about how many employees and locations you need to track, the types of integrations you may need, and any special features that could be useful. Also, make sure the system is easy to use and offers reliable customer service and technical support. By taking the time to carefully evaluate time clock systems, you can find the one that is best suited for your business.

Biometrics, such as fingerprint scanning or facial recognition, can be used to further secure the accuracy of time tracking and help prevent employee time theft. Lathem's PayClock facial recognition employee time clock system is an advanced biometrics system designed to accurately track employee time and attendance and increase the security of a company's payroll system. The system works by scanning an employee's face and verifying their identity based facial features using 3D camera technology. A dual camera system performs a 3-D analysis of the 60 facial points that are unique to each employee, so the PayClock FaceIN time clock system completely eliminates employee buddy punching that leads to higher labor costs

An employee's facial data is collected only as digitally encoded information, so they cannot be reproduced as a photographic image. It helps to speed up the time tracking process and reduce the risks of employee time theft. Because it can be contactless, a facial recognition time clock is a more hygienic method for employees to record their time helping to reduce exposure to germs & viruses when the workforce shares a device for time tracking.

The system is also easy to set up and use, with a simple, intuitive interface and a range of customization options to meet the needs of any business. Employers can choose to have the system generate reports and alerts, such as overtime notifications, late arrivals, and missed punches, to help them manage their employee time tracking more effectively.

Using biometrics for time tracking also eliminates the need for paper timesheets or manual calculations. This reduces the chances for human error and makes it easier for managers to track hours worked, manage overtime, and record attendance. Biometrics can be used in conjunction with other time tracking methods like online systems, apps, and badge systems, making it easy to tailor time tracking solutions to meet specific needs.

Proximity Badge Card Time Clocks

Proximity card time clocks are a type of employee time clock that require employees to swipe a card or badge to clock in and out. These time clocks are designed to be secure and accurate, and they provide businesses with an efficient way to track employee hours and attendance.

Proximity card time clocks are beneficial for businesses that need to ensure that employees are paid accurately and reduce the potential for employee time theft. Additionally, these time clocks are easy to use and require minimal training for employees.

Mobile Time Clock Apps

Mobile time clock apps are a type of employee time clock that allow employees to clock in and out from their mobile devices. These apps are designed to be secure and accurate, and they provide businesses with an efficient way to track employee hours and attendance.

Mobile time clock apps are beneficial for businesses that need to ensure that employees are paid accurately and reduce the potential for employee time theft. Additionally, these apps are easy to use and require minimal training for employees. They also provide businesses with the ability to track employee time and attendance from anywhere, making them a great option for businesses with remote or mobile employees.

A time clock app can be installed on a mobile phone to record time worked. This is a great option for businesses with employees who are often out of the office. Mobile time tracking systems can help managers keep track of hours worked and manage overtime. In addition to calculating wages for each employee there are also calculators available to help calculate overtime allowances, holidays and other deductions.

It’s important to select a system that can be accessed both in and out of the office and that integrates with existing payroll systems.

Time Clocks with Online Time and Attendance Software

Time and attendance software is a type of software that accompanies time clocks to help companies track and manage employee attendance and time worked. Time clock systems are connected to computers allowing employers to quickly and easily keep track of employee hours.

Time and attendance software provides a comprehensive set of tools to help employers manage employee scheduling, time off requests, and other aspects of payroll. It also helps employers keep accurate records of hours worked, as well as overtime and other deductions. Additionally, most systems offer managers the ability to set shift schedules, overtime rules, and other aspects of employee time tracking. With a few clicks of the mouse, managers can easily manage and track time for their entire staff. This can be a great time saver for companies. It is important to choose a system that is easy to use and offers the features and capabilities needed for your business.

A time clock system that can use a variety of technologies, such as biometric scanning and badge swiping, to verify employee attendance makes it virtually impossible for employees to manipulate or falsify the time worked.

It can be used to set up time clock rules, such as overtime and shift start/end times, to ensure compliance with labor laws. Time and attendance software can also help employers track employee productivity, as well as other metrics, such as the number of breaks taken, the number of hours worked, and the total time spent on each project. This information can be used to monitor employee performance and identify areas that need improvement. Additionally, time and attendance software can be used to create reports and generate invoices to clients.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Employee Time Clocks

When choosing the right employee time clocks for your business, there are several factors to consider.

First, consider the size of your business and the number of employees you have. This will help you determine the type of time clock that is best suited for your needs. Additionally, consider the features you need, such as the ability to track overtime, manage employee schedules, and generate reports. Finally, consider the cost of the time clock and the ease of installation and maintenance.

Integration with Payroll Applications

When evaluating online time clock systems, there are several features you should look for. First, consider how the system will record and calculate your employees’ hours worked. Will it be able to track overtime and manage attendance? Does it come with a built-in calculator to calculate wages? Will it allow managers to quickly and easily record hours worked? Will it integrate with other accounting software, or will it require separate data entry? Does it allow multiple users in multiple locations to access the same data. These are all important questions to ask to make sure you’re getting the most out of your time clock system.

Usability

It is important to ensure that the employee time clocks are easy to learn and use. This will help ensure that employees are able to quickly and accurately track their hours and attendance. Look for time clocks that provide intuitive user interfaces and clear instructions. This will help ensure that employees are able to quickly learn how to use the time clock and reduce the amount of time spent on training. Finally, consider the availability of customer support and training materials, as this will help ensure that employees are able to quickly and easily get the help they need when using the time clock.

Budget

Creating a budget for employee time clocks is an important step in ensuring that your business is able to save money and maximize efficiency. When preparing a budget for employee time clocks, it is important to consider the cost of the time clock itself, as well as any additional costs associated with installation, maintenance, and training. Additionally, consider the potential cost savings that can be achieved by using employee time clocks, such as reduced payroll costs, improved accuracy, and increased productivity. Finally, consider the long-term cost savings that can be achieved by using employee time clocks, such as reduced employee time theft, improved compliance with labor laws, and improved customer service. By taking the time to create a budget for employee time clocks, businesses can ensure that they are able to save money and maximize efficiency.

PayClock Employee Time Clock System. Time clocks, Online Software, Mobile apps - all in one 

Time clock systems are a great tool to help managers and supervisors keep track of employee attendance and hours worked. With the right system in place, businesses can ensure accurate payroll, reduce time theft, and uphold compliance. Lathem's PayClock employee time clock system comes with a variety of features, such as leave tracking, shift scheduling, automated reminders, and more. PayClock online time and attendance software offers the ability to set up specific rules for various departments or positions, automating time and attendance tracking and it includes integration exports to popular business accounting and HR software, making it easier to  prepare payroll.

When it comes to time clocks, there are a variety of options to choose from. Physical time clocks with biometrics, badges, or key fobs to record hours worked. Look for physical time clocks that can be paired with online time clock software so employee timecard data can be accessed through an online portal or even a mobile phone.