Every smart business owner knows that traditional punch-in and punch-out time clocks are a thing of the past. With today’s business world becoming more flexible and agile by the day, owners and HR managers need to keep up. They should consider using a timekeeping solution that is current with the times. An answer that more owners are turning to is an electronic time clock system that allows employees to keep track of their schedules and attendance from their personal smart devices. These systems not only allow easy clock-ins and outs, but they also improve communication and schedule management. Are you considering an electronic timekeeping solution for your business? Here are some dos and don’ts for a successful transition.
Use of Electronic Time Clock for Employees Dos
Making an electronic time clock system successful in your company does not have to be difficult. It’s a simple matter of education and training. Follow these simple list of dos to make sure your team embraces the new technology and uses it correctly.
Do Tell Your Employees Why You’re Using It
You don’t want any confusion among your team members about why you are integrating a new timekeeping solution. Make sure your employees know that you’re doing so to keep current with new technology and to provide them an easier and more flexible way of keeping track of their schedules and attendance. Show them how the new system will allow them to more easily work remotely or from other job sites. Show them how they can request shift changes or put in for time off right from their phones. When they see this is not a tool to micromanage them or keep track of their whereabouts, they’ll be more likely to accept and appreciate the new system.
Do Train All Employees on the System
Though most electronic timekeeping systems are user-friendly and quite easy to operate, it’s important that you train each employee how to properly use the system. Older team members may be suspicious of new technology they are unfamiliar with and need some coaching. Younger employees may pick up on it quickly, but need to be reminded of guidelines or rules that will keep your system secure. Train all of your staff before the system is put into use and then add training to all future onboarding.
Do Use it in Your Recruiting Efforts
Every business needs to be an attractive workplace for the new generation of millennial workers. These potential employees now make up more than 40% of the workforce and you need their fresh ideas and tech-savvy skills to compete. When you are in recruitment mode, make sure you include your timekeeping technology in job postings, recruitment ads, and in initial interviews. This tells potential employees that your company is committed to offering them the flexible workplace they want.
Use of Electronic Time Clock for Employees Don’ts
With every new technology or tool, there are always potential pitfalls. Managing these while taking advantage of the many benefits is the key to successful integration. To avoid possible issues with your new timekeeping solution, keep in mind the following don’ts.
Don’t Use it to Micromanage
When you know employees have the ability to clock in and out and manage their schedules from anywhere, it can be tempting to keep constant tabs on them. Don’t make this mistake. Flexible tools are meant to empower your employees to fit their careers to the way they work best. They are not meant as babysitters. If you have the right team in place that you trust, you’ll have no need to look over their shoulders or check up on them.
Don’t Limit Its Use to Departments
Many HR managers wonder why in-house employees who come into the office every day need an alternative to the attendance system you’ve been using for years. However, when you implement a new tool for only some members of your team, you breed resentment. All employees should have access to technology that makes their lives easier and allows them better schedule management.
Don’t Fail to Set Guidelines
Many electronic timekeeping solutions can be accessed from an employee’s personal smart device. While this is one of the reasons why they are so user-friendly, it can also lead to blurred boundaries. Make sure your employees know what information they can access through the system, how to send secured messages through it to the HR department, and other important guidelines. Keep expectations consistent for every employee to reduce confusion and increase engagement.
If you have not upgraded your timekeeping system and are still using a traditional manual time clock, it’s time to look at new solutions. With electronic time clocks, you can provide a flexible and user-friendly tool to your team. This will help your business with employee retention and recruitment, improve communication, and help you create the flexible workplace that the new generation requires.
