Payroll Timekeeping Innovations: A Brief History
According to World Heritage Encyclopedia, the first time clock was created in 1888 by a New York-based jeweler named William Bundy. The mechanical device — called a “key recorder” — worked by printing (on a paper tape) the specific time the employee inserted a designated numbered key. 
Since then, mechanical time clocks have come a long way. Notable progressions include punch or swipe clocks, which require employees to clock in and out at the terminal via paper cards or laminated badges. However, these systems are prone to fraud — including “buddy punching,” which is when employees clock in and out for each other.
Such systems aren’t cutting it anymore, especially with work-from-home arrangements reportedly growing 173% since 2005, mobility becoming an intrinsic aspect of employment and timekeeping laws getting more complex.
Consequently, employers are shifting to more advanced models — such as biometric time clocks, web-based software, mobile applications, and time and scheduling solutions.
Biometric time clocks
A biometric time clock is the easiest way to thwart buddy punching, as it relies on fingerprint, palm, facial or iris scan to record employees’ work time. The scans are unique to the employee, thereby making it difficult for employees to engage in time theft.
Web-based software
Web-based (or cloud-based) timekeeping software allows employees to clock in and out online from their desktop computer or laptop via their dedicated username and password. The software is ideal for employers with remote workers or those that want to:
- Eliminate the use of physical time clocks.
- Attach time limits to certain projects.
- Integrate their timekeeping system with their HR or payroll software.
Mobile applications
A mobile timekeeping app lets employees clock in and out from anywhere and from any device, including their smartphones. Mobile apps can also work offline. So even if there’s no internet connection, the employee’s work hours can still be recorded. The employee simply launches the app as normal, and their recorded time will sync to their account once there’s an internet connection.
Mobile timekeeping apps can facilitate GPS tracking, which enables employers to track the location of their mobile workers. Further, both mobile and web-based timekeeping systems have self-service capabilities, which let employees view and manage their timekeeping data from a dashboard.
Time and scheduling solutions
Scheduling and time tracking go hand in hand, which is why many timekeeping systems these days entail scheduling as well.
An integrated time and scheduling tool allows you to:
- Create and edit work schedules.
- Notify employees of their work shifts.
- Establish alerts that will instantly inform you of scheduling conflicts.
- Track employees’ activity in real time.
- Monitor employees’ attendance.
- Process employees’ paid time off requests.
- Track PTO accruals.
- Record employees’ work time — regardless of whether they’re in the office, in the field or working remotely.
- Generate customized time and scheduling reports.
When properly designed, implemented and utilized, these modern timekeeping systems can help you eradicate time theft, increase accuracy, reduce administrative burdens, control overtime expenses, improve compliance and enhance employee satisfaction. At Atlantic Payroll Partners we offer the modern timekeeping and scheduling solutions needed for you and your employees. Reach out to use to receive a quote for payroll, workers’ compensation and more.
Copyright 2024
Why Atlantic Payroll Partners
The biggest payroll companies probably won’t have time for your business. It’s that simple, you’ll be a number. At Atlantic Payroll Partners, you’ll be the opposite. We’ll know more than your name; we’ll know the names of your children and their birthday’s as well. We will know you.
We’ve been helping Florida business by managing their payroll and providing workers' compensation quotes for ten years. We help keep payroll cost affordable by provided transparent PEO payroll quotes that allow you to plan your budget accordingly. Like the big payroll companies, you can manage your payroll and payroll timekeeping with us, while reaping the benefits of PEO risk management.
Thinking about payroll outsourcing can be scary. Make sure you know what to expect from payroll outsourcing providers; to make the best decision for your business. In addition to offering payroll, and workers' comp quote we offer: Human Resource consultations, Accounting services, and benefits such as, 401ks and Healthcare plans.
Managing the HR and Payroll of your Remote Employees
Managing remote employees
We’re seven months into the pandemic and it’s very likely that you’ve made some permanent changes to how you hire and manage employees. Below are some of the highlights to focus on, it’s by no means everything but a good starting point. If you find yourself with questions feel free to contact us.
If your remote employees live in the state where your business is located, you must follow federal employment laws plus your state’s employment rules. But if your remote employees live in a different state from where you conduct business, you must comply with federal employment laws plus the labor laws for each state in which your employees reside. This applies to all areas of employment, including hiring, performance management, payroll and employee benefits.
Managing Hiring Policies
When hiring remote employees, you must consider all laws affecting the recruiting, interviewing and hiring processes. Among them are federal anti-discrimination laws, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act of 1963.
Note that many states have their own anti-discrimination laws, and some jurisdictions prohibit employers from requesting that applicants disclose their salary history.
In addition, employers must conduct employment eligibility verification via Form I-9 and perform new hire reporting with the state.
Talent Management
Managing a remote team is considerably different from managing an on-site team. With remote employees, you cannot walk over to their desks to chat or have in-person meetings with them.
Without proper support, your remote team can easily become disengaged. And if you’re not careful, you could find yourself forgetting essential duties, such as tracking their time worked and staying abreast of PTO requests.
Below are suggestions for avoiding these pitfalls and attaining an engaged remote team:
- Set clear expectations, upfront, with each team member.
- Let them know whom to contact if they have questions. Have a system in place that promptly addresses their concerns.
- Build a rapport with each team member. Encourage their input on matters affecting their work or the team.
- Offer regular feedback via one-on-one meetings using Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts or another video conferencing platform.
- Help them fulfill their career goals by fairly evaluating their performance, developing action plans for improvement and rewarding high performance.
- Utilize technology that simplifies timekeeping and leave of absence administration.
Managing Payroll and Benefits
Like on-site employees, remote employees are subject to federal and state payroll laws plus applicable employee benefits regulations. These laws relate to:
- Minimum wage
- Overtime
- Exempt employees
- Tax withholding
- Paycheck deductions
- Payday frequency
- Final wages
- Breaks and meal periods
- Workers’ compensation
- Unemployment insurance
- Paid and unpaid time off
- Voluntary benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans
- Record keeping
Overwhelmed with the idea of managing payroll and benefits during a pandemic or any other time. We can help when it comes to managing remote employees.
Health and Safety
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has stated in the past that it does not perform inspections of employees’ home offices and that employers are generally not responsible for home-based safety issues. This is a gray area. Therefore, employers with remote employees should obtain legal advice regarding health and safety.
Other complex areas that may require legal counsel include when employees work both remotely and on-site, when employees work in a different country and when an employer terminates a remote employee. For more information about managing remote employees contact us or your trusted HR advisor.
Copyright 2024
Why Atlantic Payroll Partners
The biggest payroll companies probably won’t have time for your business. It’s that simple, you’ll be a number. At Atlantic Payroll Partners, you’ll be the opposite. We’ll know more than your name; we’ll know the names of your children and their birthday’s as well. We will know you.
We’ve been helping Florida business by managing their payroll and providing workers' compensation quotes for ten years. We help keep payroll cost affordable by provided transparent PEO payroll quotes that allow you to plan your budget accordingly. Like the big payroll companies, you can manage your payroll and payroll timekeeping with us, while reaping the benefits of PEO risk management.
Thinking about payroll outsourcing can be scary. Make sure you know what to expect from payroll outsourcing providers; to make the best decision for your business. In addition to offering payroll, and workers' comp quote we offer: Human Resource consultations, Accounting services, and benefits such as, 401ks and Healthcare plans.