A time clock records employee arrival and departure times for payroll purposes and labor law compliance. Traditional punched cards are still used, but modern time cards come in various forms. Time clocks were developed in the mid-19th century to simplify the process and reduce fraud. Biometric information and access codes are used to prevent fraud. Time cards have advantages for employees, including neutral recording and proof of presence.
A time clock is a timekeeping device used to record data about when employees arrive and leave work. Data from a time clock is used during payroll to determine how much each employee should be paid. This data can also be scrutinized by employees enforcing labor laws, looking for signs that employees are staying longer than legal working hours.
There are two components to a punched clock: the clock itself and the “timecard” on which data is recorded in a process known as punching or punching. Traditionally, data was recorded on punched cards, paper or plastic that were physically stamped or punched by the clock, and punched cards are still used in some workplaces today. Modern time cards also come in many forms, including cards with magnetic strips that are passed through a time clock and wireless fobs that are waved at the time clock. In all cases, the purpose of the timecard design is to ensure that data about the employee’s work habits is consistently and accurately recorded.
The first time clocks were developed in the mid-19th century in response to the desire to be able to record employee data accurately and efficiently. Without a time clock, employers had to rely on an employee stationed by the door to check employee entry and exit, or employee word. Punch watches have simplified the process and reduced the possibility of fraud. Most modern workplaces that pay hourly wages use a time clock template to track their employees.
From an employers’ perspective, the biggest potential problem with a time clock is that it can be thrown. For example, an employee might punch his card and a friend’s card in the morning, and someone who leaves late might punch a stack of cards belonging to friends to make it look like everyone stayed late. In some egregious cases, employees have been known to create false IDs and punch holes in their time cards in order to receive two paychecks. Some pocket watches have solved this problem by requiring biometric information such as fingerprints or by requiring employees to enter access codes before their hours are recorded, assuming that employees cannot trust each other with their access codes.
While some employees don’t like to punch a punch, the time clock has some distinct advantages for employees. On the one hand, the time clock is a neutral arbiter, recording all information about an employee’s time. If an employee suspects they are being cheated, an audit of the relevant timecard may be requested. A punch card with security measures can also be used to prove that an employee was present at the workplace, in case an alibi is needed. Additionally, data on timecards can be used to refute claims that an employee is chronically late or prone to leaving early.
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