Remote Employee Time Tracking: Do You Need to Buy a Time Clock?

If you've been thinking about remote employee time tracking and whether or not you need to buy a time clock, you’re not alone. 

As more companies embrace remote work, this question is becoming more and more common. 

As a business owner, it's important to keep accurate records of your employees' time and traditionally, time clocks are used to record employee hours. 

But what if punching in/out on a clock doesn't fit your company culture? What if you have remote workers?

The answer is…

No, you don't have to spend money on a time clock. 

And by the end of this article, you’ll know the alternative ways to keep accurate time records and stay compliant without using a time clock.

Do I Need a Time Clock if I Have Remote Workers?

First, let's tackle the issue of remote workers.

If your company has employees who work off-site, using a time clock wouldn’t make sense. 

So, here are the alternatives to ensure that their time is accurately recorded:

1. Your employees can use a mobile app.
2. Your employees can log in from their computers to record their hours.

It’s a win-win situation.

You get accurate time records and your employees feel trusted. 

Is it Illegal to Not Have a Time Clock? 

Now, let's address the bigger question…

Do you have to have a time clock in order to comply with the law?

The answer is NO. 

The Fair Labor Standards Act doesn't require companies to use a time clock but rather mandates that employers keep accurate records of their employees' hours. 

This means that there are no penalties for not having a time clock as long as you can document the hours that your employees work.

How Do You Maintain an Accurate Time and Attendance Record without a Time Clock?

To maintain accurate records without a time clock, all you need to do is get your employees to attest to the hours they’ve worked. 

For example, with Baron’s simple system, remote employees manually log their hours on a weekly basis and then check a box to confirm that the record is accurate. 

That’s it!

All in all, there are alternative ways to keep track of your employees' hours that are just as effective, if not better, than using a time clock. 

Not only does it save you money (by not buying a time clock), but it also helps build trust and helps create a better work culture. 

If you found this article helpful, here are some others you might like:

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• Fingerprint Time Clock: How Can it Benefit Your New York Business?
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• Why Employee Printback Checks are Good for Your Business
• How Will the New York State Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program Impact Your Business