A few years ago, I decided to invest in an employee time clock app to improve and automate the time tracking process. I researched and found a few options that I thought would work best for my business and then ultimately chose a price solution. Boy, was that a mistake!
I quickly found out that selecting and implementing a time and attendance app is critical and should not be taken lightly. In this article, I will go over the four most important things I wish I had known before choosing and implementing an employee time clock app. Hopefully, I can save you some time and frustration while doing so!
employee time clock app, then go through a trial for it. You may think that watching a video demo and asking customer support questions is sufficient, but I am here to tell you it is not enough. You have to go through a trial to ensure that the solution is user-friendly, can meet your business requirements, and that your employees like using it. Without going through this process in-depth, you may end up investing in a solution that your employees hate, is incredibly challenging to use, and doesn’t benefit your business.
The good news is that most employee time clock app vendors provide up to a 30-day free trial. During the trial, you can test out all of the different features from different aspects within your company. For example, you should get an accountant, an HR administrator, and hourly employees all in on trial to ensure it meets your business needs and users’ needs at every level and in every department.
Your employees must be on board.
When searching for a time clock app, I didn’t consider how my employees would use it. This really ended up being the downfall of my implementation process. Your employees are the ones who will be using the employee time clock app that day in and day out, so it is essential that they understand why using such a tool can be beneficial to them.
An employee’s benefits can reap from a timekeeper app vary from one business to the next, but there are some benefits you’ll see across the board. For example, time clock solutions can give employees more control over their time tracking process. They can punch time from their mobile device, they can request time off when needed without going through their manager, and they can review their work hours to ensure they’re accurate. Bringing these benefits to light is a great way to get employees on board from the very beginning.
Consistency is key.
When I first implemented my employee time clock app, I kept changing the rules. At first, I only wanted employees to punch time from their computer, but then opted for a more flexible option – mobile punching. While there is no problem with changing your time tracking process to be more efficient, there is a problem doing this frequently. Employees need consistency in the workplace, and this is especially true of the tools they use.
When you’re going through the trial, I recommend beginning by outlining your time tracking process and how you expect employees to interact with your time attendance clock. This would also be a great time to define your time and attendance policy better. Specify how and where you want your employees to punch time. Outline the process of requesting time off. Let them know the repercussions of not following your policy. You and your employees will be better off if you figure out these details before implementation.
It’s not all rainbows and sunshine.
There’s this notion that once you implement an online timecard system, it will work flawlessly every day. But anyone who has any experience with software knows this is not the case. There will inevitably be issues that arise, some technical and some that occur due to user error, and it’s essential to take on these issues as they come up.
An employee time clock app is an excellent investment for any business. It can increase time tracking accuracy, improve employee accountability and productivity, and reduce payroll errors. However, it is vital to maintain your expectations when it comes to using such a solution. It isn’t a magical tool that will suddenly fix all of your time tracking problems but can significantly streamline that process and help reduce costs associated with labor. All in all, it is a worthwhile investment.
