Time clock

Time clock (in shift work): System for recording employee work hours.

Time clock

A system for recording employee work hours, capturing the timestamps when employees clock in and out of their shifts. This tool is essential in shift planning and self-scheduling to track attendance accurately and ensure fair scheduling practices.

What is a time clock

It’s a vital component of workforce management, allowing HR professionals and managers to oversee employee work hours seamlessly. Think of it as the digital equivalent of a punch card—employees record their start and end times, contributing to precise payroll management and compliance with labor laws.

For instance, a retail manager might use a time clock to track how many hours staff members worked during peak shopping periods. This data not only supports accurate wage calculations but also aids in understanding labor needs and patterns, shaping future shift schedules effectively. It’s crucial to note that a time clock should not be confused with simple attendance sheets or casual check-in methods; those lack the accuracy and necessary data integration for sophisticated scheduling. 

Best practices

• Keep your time clock accurate by regularly updating it with any company changes.
• Check compliance with labor laws.
• Integrate it with your payroll system for seamless data flow, reducing the risk of human error when calculating hours worked.

Common pitfalls

• Avoid relying solely on manual time entry, which can lead to discrepancies.
• Don’t ignore discrepancies; investigate missed punches promptly to prevent payroll errors.
• Watch out for overly rigid scheduling; flexibility in your time clock system can enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

How we can help

There are plenty of time tracking solutions available, but not every app will meet your specific needs when you’re planning shift work. If you’re looking for something to support flexible shift planning, we invite you to give our self-scheduling software a try. Zelos Team Management is a simple tool tailored to shift management and communication – nothing fancy or unnecessary.

Sign up for a free account on our website and see how it can support your workflow!

Shift work glossary