Hourly employees usually have their time tracked via a timecard or similar device. They’re paid for any hours that are marked on the card. Their time off is just that – time that they aren’t paid for. There’s no need for any employee time off tracking. The system is simple. You have rules in place regarding the amount of time that they are on the clock, as well as off, and everything falls into place.
However, when you’re dealing with salaried employees, things are different. These employees aren’t hourly. They are paid a set rate per week (or per month, depending on their hiring contract) and are guaranteed to have a certain amount of paid days off.
In some cases, when your salaried employees work overtime, they might be able to take a day off here and there throughout the month, besides their usual weekends. In order to do this accurately, you need to have a tracking system. Without one, your employees must log and track their own hours. They’re on the honour system, which becomes problematic. Below we have outlined some of the reasons businesses in Ireland are switching to a Time Tracking System.
What Employee Time Off Tracking Can Do
When it comes to employee time off tracking, you need to have a system in place for the following reasons.
It Makes Your Employees Accountable
A good time tracking system makes your employees accountable for their own actions. Even the best employee might fall to the temptation that comes with an honour system. They might start sneaking in an extra 15 minutes worked here and there, which quickly spirals to an hour or more.
However, if you have a system in place, then every hour is accurately tracked by the HR. There won’t be any shenanigans.
Their Flexibility Increases
It’s just too easy to micromanage your salaried employee’s schedules, especially if you don’t fully trust them. Keeping an eye on them can become taxing. It also eats into your own productivity.
However, if you have a good time tracking method in place – something that’s efficient and accurate – then you can relax. Your system will take care of everything. Your employees will be able to use this system to their advantage and make their hours flexible.
As long as everything gets done and the system is in place, you’ll have nothing to worry about. This makes your time more flexible as well.
Your Workplace Will Be Balanced and Fair
An employee who abuses the system is one who annoys his or her co-workers. This person might take plenty of time off while others are in the office, dutifully working away. A time tracking system can solve this problem, as it creates a fair environment where everyone is held accountable and must work as required.
Scheduling Days Off Is Easier
If your workplace requires employees to take time off according to a strict schedule – with permission needed – then a time tracking system will make this much easier on everyone. You might have to deny some requests (especially if you have other employees off that day), but everything will be appropriately tracked. Your HR department will be able to tell who’s in need of a day off and who has taken too many of them.
No One Will Fall Prey to Burnout
Burnout is the scourge of workplaces. A burned out employee is one who obviously has a hard time getting things done. They’ve worked to the point of exhausting. Your time tracking system will show you which employees have worked too many days in a row and might be in danger of reaching the burn out stage. If you can get them to take a day off soon, then everything will go much smoother.
Implementing Your Time Off Tracking Software
Now that you know how important it is to have a software in place to track your employee’s time off, the next steps involve implementing that program.
You need to start by having every employee use the program. This makes it clear that no one receives any special treatment. Even your hourly employees can benefit from an accurate time tracking program. There won’t be any questions regarding how many hours they’ve worked when they receive their next paycheque.
To do this, you’d need to run a special training session for your employees once you’ve implemented systems such as a biometric system since they require a little getting used to.
As you can see, there are many advantages to employee tracking software. These programs are put in place to track when your salaried employees need to take time off, even though they’ll really work for everyone.
