Why you need a time and attendance module in remote work environments

Remote work environments or teleworking is becoming more prevalent. The best and brightest talent is sometimes located on the other side of the country or the world. Remote working can be a morale booster for employees who save time and money by not commuting. As this movement continues to increase, a time and attendance (T&A) module is the best option to stay on top of this trend; here’s why.

1. You can keep track of overtime more easily

The Department of Labor (DOL) released new legislation that became effective in December 2016. It extended overtime pay to a larger set of employees. Many remote employees often work extra hours around personal activities like taking the kids to school or getting on conference calls once the children are asleep. Many happily work these hours in exchange for the flexibility it gives to them. Unfortunately your company may be penalized by the DOL if you are not following the legislation.

A time and attendance module is the easiest way to be sure that you are compliant and can prove it in a government audit. A recommendation would be to configure your HRMS to reflect how your employees operate. If they normally spread eight hours over a 12 hour period, be sure that they can clock in and out multiple times a day.

2. You can control health and safety risks

In a traditional office setting you can see when employees are working too hard and not taking a break. Remote working poses additional challenges as no one is noticing that an employee has worked for five hours straight.

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When you use a time and attendance module you can remain on top of working hours and breaks. It also gives you peace of mind when an employee remotely clocks in each morning. In my 20 year career in HR I have known employees who have passed away while actively employed. In multiple cases their company was the first to notice when they did not come into work. When you use a robust HRMS with T&A you are extending your reach and ensuring that you’re taking care of your remote employees.

3. It allows for better workforce planning

Many employees like remote working, as even when it’s only one day a week as it allows them to focus on complex tasks. Employees often state that they feel more productive at home without the noise of a busy office. When you use a time and attendance module and track your employees’ days at the task level it gives you valuable insight into future staffing needs. Use a T&A module to help you to save time and money on future project costs.