Time recording for your own employees is a sensitive topic, and there are a few pitfalls to be aware of in order to avoid unwanted side effects. After all, time recording should create added value and not lead to mistrust, surveillance or employee dissatisfaction.
In today's article, we therefore draw on our experiences from everyday work with our customers and from our own company and give you 5 tips on how you can implement the topic in the best possible way. These tips are suitable for companies that are introducing a time recording system for the first time, but also for companies that already have one and now want to optimise its use.
1. give time recording a clear purpose and communicate this
At first glance, time recording sounds to many employees like: "my boss wants to control me". This first impression can be persistent and is not conducive to the corporate culture.
It is therefore advisable to give time recording in the company a clear purpose. This must also be communicated to the employees. This communication should also include how the data will and will not be handled. This gives the employees security and the hurdle to acceptance is set as low as possible.
2. provide clear instructions on how the time recording system is to be used
In order to fully utilise the predefined purpose of time recording, you must ensure that the data is of an appropriate quality. The best way to ensure this is to give your employees clear instructions on how to use the time recording system. If you do not do this, you can expect major problems. The reason for this is that when employees are uncertain, they do not act as they wish, but as they think.
This, in turn, does not necessarily correspond to the goal you are striving for.
3. support your employees in recording their time
Every change process costs time and energy, and this is no different when it comes to time recording for your employees. Therefore, be prepared for the fact that problems will arise and that the ideal implementation will not succeed immediately.
In this case, you are needed as a guide. Be a competent, understanding contact person who helps your employees to successfully manage the changeover. It is best to arrange regular meetings at the beginning where you can actively ask for feedback and help to break down barriers. Your employees will thank you with improved implementation.
4. accept feedback from your employees
Be open to feedback from your employees and try to adapt the benefits accordingly. The mere willingness to accept feedback will help you create a higher level of acceptance, as will its implementation.
5 Recognise accurate timekeeping
The beginning of a change is and remains the most difficult part. It is therefore particularly important to recognise and reinforce the first successes as such. The best way to do this is to emphasise the successes of your employees, e.g. with accurate time recording.
There are many ways to do this: from financial incentives to additional holiday days and much more. Depending on how you handle it in your organisation or what is best for the employee, you can choose and implement accordingly.
In the beginning, it will seem cumbersome to introduce time recording in your company or to use it differently than before. However, this effort will pay off in the form of greatly reduced administrative costs and greater employee satisfaction.
Do you not yet have a time recording system or are you not satisfied with your current one? Then test SaaS.de's time recording system now for 14 days free of charge and without obligation and see the many benefits for yourself.