Documentation/information Archives

A TIME CLOCK, WHAT IS THAT?

A time clock is, first and foremost, a device used, as its name suggests, to track the comings and goings of employees and to record them. We will see below that there are different kinds of time clocks. But with technological advances, the physical device is no longer always mandatory, it has become mobile and has been transformed into an application that can be installed on your smartphone or tablet. In both cases, the device must be connected to management software, which will record and process the data.

WHAT DOES CLOCKING ENABLE?

In addition to recording arrivals and departures and depending on the type of machine, various functionalities are available:

The actual clocking: recording of employees’ arrivals and departures, including or not breaks, delays, expenses, business travel, permissions, etc.
Real-time data consultation: all recorded information can be viewed at any time and according to various parameters, including an employee’s regular working hours, overtime, surcharges, payslips, etc.
A complete management system: all linked to software, you have in your hands a powerful tool to manage various facets of your company: schedules (per employee or per department), the calculation of wages, payroll, mission tracking, profitability and so much more.

HOW DOES THIS TIME CLOCK WORK?

The monitoring of staff entry and exit is required by the French Labour Code. The installation of a time clock is the best solution for companies.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TIME CLOCKS

THE MECHANICAL OR CARDBOARD TIME CLOCK

It is immobile and located at the entrance of the offices. Each employee has an individual attendance sheet, which they insert into the device to have their arrival and departure times printed directly on the cardboard.

THE DIGITAL TIME CLOCK

This is an improved version of the mechanical model. The employee must also use it to record his arrivals and departures, but usually using a personal badge, or a key ring or card. It offers many features, especially when linked to time management software.

THE BIOMETRIC TIME CLOCK

This is the most efficient model on the market today. The clocking is done by physiological recognition: fingerprint, voice, iris, face, etc. This data is extremely valuable and subject to high protection. In France, this system is reserved for strategic and sensitive areas with limited access. In other countries, it can also be used to clock-in employees in companies.

THE MOBILE TIME CLOCK

The mobile time clock: it is especially useful for companies with employees working as mobile workers (construction sites, plumbing, security, home services, for example) or even on missions abroad. As its name suggests, it is portable and comes in the form of a physical tool or a simple application. To be effective, it usually requires the use of the Internet via a Wifi, 3G or 4G network.