What is Mobile Timesheet?
There are various devices that can be used to create timesheets today, but most employers still require workers to use pen and paper or time clocks. This process is cumbersome and one report found that a quarter of employers have problems collecting timesheets from remote employees. What if there was a software solution that could provide mobile timesheet software for your workforce?
Mobile timesheet software offers the ability for employees – even those working remotely – to track their hours via a phone, tablet or other electronic device rather than using a time clock or manual methods. Mobile workforces mean flexible schedules, which often causes issues with clocking in and out at specific locations at set intervals during the day. Mobile timesheet software eliminates these concerns by giving workers the chance to log their hours from any location at any time.
Mobile timesheet software allows workers to enter the time they start and stop a job task in real-time, many times by simply pressing a button or two on a mobile device. Once each day, the timesheet is automatically sent to the employer for approval and payment if needed. With no need to worry about misplaced paper timesheets, mistakes with old data entry or miscommunication about hours worked, both employees and employers benefit from using this type of platform. In fact, according to one study , when companies switched from traditional methods to automated ones they saw an average savings of 25 percent in labor costs per employee.
Mobile workforces can reduce cost but can also cause problems with oversight and compliance. Another study found that more than 40 percent of companies reported having at least one worker who logged at least some hours outside of normal work hours without management knowledge or approval, and around 20 percent had workers using social media for personal reasons during the work day. With mobile timesheet software, workers can enter their time spent on certain tasks as projects are completed, which can help employers see how employees spend their days and weeks.
Employers also need to be aware of potential bias when it comes to timesheets. A survey of 200 finance managers found that 83 percent believed employees over-reported the number of hours worked and 78 percent felt they under-reported. If you find yourself in this situation – where employees feel pressured to report a specific number of hours worked – it's important to clearly define what counts as a workweek, since that can have a big impact on the number of hours being reported.
For example, if employees are expected to be at their desks for 8-hour days with a one-hour lunch break, they may assume this is a standard 40-hour work week. Meanwhile, your organization could expect them to also log in two or three extra hours per day that don't show up on their timesheets; these longer hours could add up to 80+ over the course of the year and not be captured by their daily Time Tracking entries. This can potentially cause disputes about pay rates and overtime expectations when you're ready for them to enter contracted positions at the end of the year.
Another example is when employees switch from a traditional 40 hour per week schedule to one with more flexible hours. If an employee used to work 8am-5pm and now works 9am-6pm, the timesheets will likely show they worked fewer hours than before even though they put in more time at the office. This could be due to commute times or just different working styles, but it can still lead to confusion about what counts as salary Time Tracking and reduce morale if employees feel like you're not paying them for their full day's work.
To avoid such issues, many employers add extra tasks such as training or meetings that are expected to take place outside of normal business hours.
