Top Time Clock Management Tips

Time Clock Management January 10, 2023

Priyanka Bhadani

Writer

Time Clock Management Tips

Small business owners often manage everything from employee scheduling to employee time management. Most large businesses have their own human resources department to tackle employee time management processes. Whether at a small business or large corporation, tracking hours worked per employee is no easy task. Factoring in employee scheduling and pay period calculations, it is not surprising time clock management is often perceived as intimidating.

Great time clock management allows large and small businesses to comply with labor laws and control labor costs. Additionally, time clock management influences everything from buddy punching prevention to attendance tracking protocol. Thankfully, there are time management best practice tips readily available. Time clock management tips include mastering-

Management Styles

The best time management styles find a balance between micromanagement and macromanagement. Micromanagement is a management style known for excessive observation and control. Alternatively, macromanagement lacks observation or control over employees. Remember, the focal word in the phrase human resources is human. A great time clock management system necessitates a careful balance between time management and humanness. Employees are not machines, they will not universally perform, and the best time clock management recognizes this fact.

The best time management style also recognizes that a different style per employee is necessary. For example, some staff members appreciate a time clock or time tracking software to increase their accountability. Other staff members may prefer management software with a self service portal.

Real world examples may help business owners and human resources departments better understand this time management balancing act. Let's say a small business employee may need time off for a sick relative. When staff members need time off but are afraid to request it, buddy punching may unfortunately ensue. A buddy punch would be much less likely considered if a human resources department or small business owner is approachable. When employees need time off, they should be comfortable requesting it. In this situation, a mutually beneficial employee time arrangement could be identified and implemented.

In another example, real time employee attendance mobile apps may note a staff member out of GPS location briefly. Upon questioning the employee, human resources discover the situation was an urgent phone call regarding a personal matter. In this situation, human resources or a small business owner may not penalize the staff member. However, the situation changes when personal phone calls significantly interfere with employee attendance or work hours performance. In this circumstance, human resources or the small business owner should have a sit down talk with the employee. During the meeting, employee attendance and employee time protocol can be reiterated and a warning may be issued.

Pain Points

The best time clock management system requires consistent check ins for pain points. Identifying problem areas earlier on can save businesses a lot of time and energy. Different businesses will necessarily have different pain points. However, there are common employee time management pain points that many large and small businesses experience. Common pain points range from buddy punching to social media use during work hours excessively.

For example, a small business may realize too many employee work hours are spent on social media. The small business owner then realizes that employee breaks are interrupted by customers visiting the storefront. As a result, employees were not experiencing their full break due to customer service obligations. This particular issue indicates that employees need free time off for uninterrupted breaks. Additionally, employee time protocol and time management tips could be helpful to administer.

A small business owner may address this specific issue through a combination of time management advice and employee scheduling changes. Large and small businesses alike must recognize that employees need time off on breaks to recollect and replenish. Employee scheduling processes can then make sure another staff member is available to cover for customer support obligations. The small business owner may then reiterate employee time protocol and expectations in a team meeting.

A small business owner can utilize team meetings to brainstorm and share time management tips. The best time management policies are those that employees easily understand. Staff members notice when human resources or a small business owner unfairly apply employee time rules. Protocols that vary per employee are a recipe for disaster and even potentially grounds for legal action. As such, it is absolutely crucial employee time policies are universally and fairly applied.

Key Takeaways for Time Clock Management

Time clock management is a crucial concern for human resources departments and small business owners alike. Thankfully, tools ranging from time cards to time clocks help keep track of hours worked accurately.
The best time management styles are a balance between micromanagement and macromanagement.