Time Clocks: What you need to know
From the original mechanical time clock invented in 1888, employers use time clocks to accurately record employee in and out times.
The first in and out punches were literally holes punched in a paper card representing time or other data.
Now employees record their “punches” electronically, verifying their identities using magnetic stripe badges, barcode cards, proximity fobs, keypads, or even their own hands or fingers.
Today's time clocks do far more than record start and end times. They can perform a multitude of tasks, from recording departmental transfers to providing security door access. They also offer a variety of methods to communicate with software that can store employee data and use it for time and attendance calculations.
Ways to Punch
Employees punch in and out to indicate that they are starting work and leaving work, sometimes for lunches or breaks. This data can also provide legal record of employees’ service with the company, and can indicate security access to a controlled area.
Some time clocks require badges or other identifying objects to be carried by the employee. Examples of these include time clocks that scan a barcode, read a magnetic stripe, or sense an encoded string of digits.
Some time clocks require employees to remember information, or present a hand or finger for scanning. PIN time clocks require employees to enter an identification number and sometimes a password.
Punching without a Clock
Remote employees can punch in and out using their cell phones. With telephony, employees easily punch in and out, transfer workgroups, or check benefit balances…all guided by voice prompts.
Employees with PCs can punch using their home or office computers, review their personal information, request time off, and even perform time card edits using Employee Self Service in a web browser anytime and anywhere there is an internet connection.
Free Resource
Attendance on Demand, Inc. web-hosted employee time and attendance service offers you two free white papers that assist organizations in evaluating and selecting employee time clocks. The informative materials can be downloaded at www.attendanceondemand.com.
Entitled “Time Clocks for Employee Attendance Tracking” and ”Biometrics: Advantages for Employee Attendance Verification”, these free resources outline advances in clock communication which integrate with time and attendance software faster and easier than ever.
Learn useful purchasing guidelines to help select time clocks that fit your facility and work environment. The papers also compile information about technologies such as badge readers, proximity readers, biometric technology, telephone, wireless, web-based and other technologies.