What if Employees Forget to Punch the Clock?
Employees are human. They might be great people, but they may not always follow the rules in regard to the time clock.
Does this happen at your company?
Do employees forget to clock in or out? More frequently than you like?
Do they clock in too early, or out too late? Maybe to bump up their hours?
If so, how do you fix it?
First of all, you are not alone, this problem is as old as dirt... Or maybe as old as time clocks on the planet.
To help, I'll address some techniques to help solve the problem.
Let employees know the rules
One example is to publish a company handbook for your employees that includes the use of time clocks, and schedules.
This way, you are not pointing fingers at any specific person, just providing a set of rules for everyone to follow.
Another way is to keep reminding them.
To do that, consider sending out reminder emails, or post a memo next to the clock. Anything it takes to bake in the idea.
Not everyone needs reminding, but if done with a light heart, it can really help those that do.
Make clocking easy
The more convenient the better. If you want employees to clock in when they arrive, then place a clock right at the door.
If you want employees to clock in when they sit at a computer, make sure they can clock from the computer.
If everyone has a phone, and you are okay with it, have them clock from their phone instead of down the hall somewhere.
In comparison, the further the clock is from where they work, the less likely they'll want to walk to it.
There is an old saying "don't make me think".
Don't make employees have to think about clocking in, make it where they just do.
Lead by example and be consistent
No matter what, the culture of any organization starts at the top... Like it or not.
So if you are a big shot (aka salary), and are too important to punch a clock, do you have any idea what your staff thinks?
Sure, salary workers are not paid by the hour, but there is zero reason why they shouldn't punch a clock anyway.
At minimum, have your hourly supervisors and managers set the standard of clocking in by the rules. Let them be the guiding examples.
Employees follow those who they admire. If your admired leaders are punching a clock, it's likely others will too.
Don't manage employees with a time clock
Some time clocks have the ability to use shift schedules with rules. For example start and end zones that round a punch to the shift start or end time.
Some clocks have the ability to prevent employees from clocking too, depending on the shift schedule.
But like most things, just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Those kinds of rules are clear to employees that you don't trust them.
As a suggestion, have people manage employees, not software or machines.
Consider using technology as a last resort until you can build better trust between you and your staff.
Talk to employees individually
Sometimes the best policy is to pull an employee aside, and have a friendly conversation.
That way they can explain their side of the story, and who knows, there could be a good reason. It might also give you insight on what employees are thinking in general.
If nothing else, it gives you the opportunity to strengthen the business relationship you have with them.
The old method of "manage by walking around".
Conclusion
I've given you five helpful techniques to help employees follow your time clock rules.
Things are never perfect, but if you are patient, and a leader employees look up to, chances are good they will come around.