5 Timekeeping Advancements
There’s one thing we know for sure — technology is ever-changing. This is no different in the land of payroll and timekeeping. In the past few years timekeeping systems have evolved to make many payroll, scheduling, and human resources responsibilities easier.
Here are a few advances in timekeeping you may not know:
1. Advanced Scheduling
Workforce management is a growing trend in the time and attendance market. Departments like EMS, fire, and police have unique needs when it comes to scheduling. Timekeeping systems have added functionality to make it easier when scheduling shifts. Employees can also use software and mobile apps to swap, drop, and accept shifts. Since no organization has the exact same policies, systems can be easily configured to meet the unique needs of each department. This helps empower employees and also makes it easier for management to see and eliminate gaps in coverage and also prevent any unforeseen labor costs.
2. Family Medical Leave Act Tracking
There have been many changes across states and even local government when it comes to extended leave. For some organizations it’s hard to tell who is eligible for FMLA and even harder to track when an employee takes or returns from extended leave. Now systems are creating ways to make it easy to track and manage FMLA cases. These new tools are making it easier for employers and employees to communicate regarding a case and determine items like documentation that are needed.
3. Geo Fencing
Employees who are on the go need a simple way to view, track, and approve their time. As employees become increasingly dependent on technology, they expect to utilize mobile apps for more services. Timekeeping solutions have been evolving their time tracking solutions to include mobile apps. But along with the ability to stay connected anytime anywhere there’s also the fear that employees can clock in and out from home. Employers can utilize geo fencing to create fence groups that indicate where employees can clock in/out. The systems can also be configured where an employee can view and approve time from any location, but can only clock in/out from a predefined area.
4. Comp Time Tracking
Advances in comp time tracking have made it easier for employers to track comp time. An employer can configure the system to accrue comp time based on the organization’s policies. The employee can then see the comp time as a separate “bucket” of time in the employee’s timesheet and leave accrual banks. Additional rules can be created to cap the number of comp time hours an employee can accrue as well as set parameters of how those hours can be used.
5. Payroll Integration
If your timekeeping system does not integrate with your current payroll software, then you are missing out on your system’s best feature. Integration between systems is a no brainer when it comes to timekeeping solutions. Not only will you save time by eliminating duplicate entry, but you’ll also save yourself from countless data entry errors.
