The clock in clock out system (CICOS) is very useful in keeping track of the times an employee clocks in and clocks out, ensuring that they are not abusing company policy and not coming to work late or leaving early when they are supposed to be working. Clock in clock out system (CICOS) can be used in large companies with hundreds of employees, or even small companies with just a few employees. It can also be used in service industries such as retail stores, hotels, restaurants, and medical offices where many people are clocking in and out every day.
Advantages
The traditional time tracking systems can actually discourage employees by forcing them to keep track of their time. When employees are constantly asked what they have been doing, it makes them feel watched and unappreciated. This can hurt productivity, especially if you’re a manager. With timesheets, there is always a question of whether or not something counts as part of an employee’s day’s work or whether it was slacking off.
Disadvantages
Although a time card is essential for tracking hours and preventing employees from working without pay, it does have some disadvantages. One of them is that clocking-in can create anxiety if it takes a long time or if your work involves constantly moving from one place to another. Additionally, workers may feel more stressed when they are unable to take breaks whenever they want and have fixed breaks during which they must be inside their workplace, even if they don’t need that much time.
Miscellaneous tips
Set up a spreadsheet for employees. Ask them for their timesheets weekly and keep records on hand of who came in late or left early. Try to have one-on-one meetings with each employee once a month (during lunch, if possible) to go over goals and performance. Be sure you are clearly communicating how you expect your employees to handle situations that require clocking in or clocking out. Allow your employees an opportunity to explain why they missed work without feeling attacked.
Comparison with other methods
The biggest reason why companies implement clocking-in systems is because employees tend to be more productive when they are monitored. With a clocking-in and -out system, employers can time-check every employee’s arrival at work, helping them make sure that their team members don’t arrive late or leave early. They also ensure that no one takes too many breaks throughout the day, which could hurt productivity.
Further improvements
Maybe you’re not working a regular schedule. Maybe you don’t have a fixed number of hours. Maybe your employer doesn’t even track your time. These are all reasons why Clock In/Clock Out scheduling can be frustrating for everyone involved, as it requires employees and managers both to make constant adjustments to how they work. But with a little bit of organization and planning, it could easily become more routine than chaotic and with benefits both for individual workers and for their employers.