Employee time tracking is not a new practice in workforce management. It is an essential tool for improving efficiency, optimizing financial and time costs, and ensuring effective use of resources.
In today’s competitive environment, the success and growth of a company largely depend on leadership. Effective management requires knowledge and understanding of what employees are doing, how much time they spend on tasks, and the results they deliver.
Why a time tracking system is needed
Working time is the calendar time an employee spends fulfilling their duties. It includes the workday along with lunch breaks and legally mandated pauses, as well as the official time standards set by regulations.
A time tracking system helps to:
- Evaluate the use of labor resources;
- Distribute responsibilities effectively;
- Eliminate duplicated work;
- Track attendance;
- Adjust payroll calculations;
- Support discipline and productivity.
Historical background
At the beginning of the last century, time tracking was managed manually using ledgers. Employees signed in and out, and a designated clerk kept records. Later, punch tokens were introduced: workers picked up a token when starting their shift and returned it during breaks, lunch, or at the end of the day. This also allowed supervisors to track absences during work hours.
Over time, companies adopted more advanced time tracking systems. Chronographs (punch clocks) recorded start and end times on employee cards, reducing errors and minimizing human intervention.
Types of time tracking systems
Time tracking today can be done in many ways—from manual logs to advanced access control solutions. The choice depends on the business sector and budget. Two main approaches are used:
Cumulative time tracking
Cumulative tracking applies when employees work different hours daily or weekly, but the total hours over a month or year remain within the standard for that role.
Non-cumulative time tracking
If employees work a fixed number of hours per day or week, non-cumulative tracking is applied. This is the most common form of employee time tracking.
Both methods provide managers with accurate insights into how labor resources are used, how efficiently time is spent, and how to avoid delays or overlap in task execution.
Modern time tracking systems
Today, electronic time tracking systems are most common, often integrated with access control. For example, an ACS (Access Control System) not only manages entry permissions but also records working hours.
Access can be monitored at the building entrance, in specific zones, or offices using magnetic cards, PIN codes, or biometric identification. Biometric systems may use fingerprints, facial recognition, voice analysis, or retinal scans.
However, these systems usually only record start and end times (and in some cases breaks). For comprehensive monitoring, businesses need applications that track not only shifts but also breaks, application usage, and overall productivity.
The StaffCounter time tracking system
Adopting the StaffCounter time tracking system allows businesses of any size to optimize workflows, reduce downtime risks, maintain productivity, and meet deadlines.
StaffCounter records start and end of working hours, based on when an employee powers up their computer and launches applications. It also tracks breaks, providing accurate reports on actual working time and productivity levels.
As with traditional timekeeping, StaffCounter monitors tardiness, overtime, and positively influences discipline. This improves workflow and simplifies payroll management in line with hours worked.
For senior executives, it is critical to know how the team is performing, what risks may arise, how to prevent them, and where to focus attention. The StaffCounter time tracking solution is a powerful management tool that goes beyond time tracking, providing productivity monitoring and enhanced security. With StaffCounter, workforce management becomes simpler and more effective.
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