Author: Agent ELF

The Importance of Keeping Accurate Employee Records

Keep on top of your reporting duties, check out our latest blog post on how to manage your employees’ records effectively.

Whether you’re an employer, a member of the management team of a business or a HR professional, it’s vital that you keep accurate and up to date records of all the individuals that work for your company. Maintaining an employee database can seem like time consuming work, particularly if your business is a large one, but it should definitely be one of your top priorities. Below, the specialists at ELF Time and Attendance explain why keeping your employees’ records up to date is so important, and suggest a few ways to ensure that this can easily be done.

The Importance of Keeping Accurate Employee Records

Health and Safety

It goes without saying that you need to know which of your employees is in the building in case of a fire or other dangerous situation, but many employees take other elements of their staff’s health and safety less seriously. Employee records can include details of disabilities or conditions that may affect your workers’ capabilities of doing certain jobs, so it’s very important that these matters are added to their confidential records. Also, it’s very helpful for you to know what training each member of staff has undertaken, particularly when it comes to matters of first aid or undertaking physical tasks that require a certain level of health and safety certification. If you’ve got access to all this information, managing your team will be a lot easier and less stressful.

External Liaison

If staff within your company regularly liaise with members of the public or employees of other companies as part of their work, it’s really important for you and other authorised team members to be able to access up to date information about their position. It may be that they have been having ongoing conversations with certain individuals as part of their roles, and so if they change telephone extension, for example, it’s vital that their new number is recorded. They may even move to a different department or leave the company, which means you’ll need to update their records to reflect this as soon as possible to enable you to provide information about the new point of contact.

 

Training and Qualifications

Keeping up to date records of staff training and qualifications will benefit your employees as much as it does you and your wider company. If you know exactly what stage each team member has reached in terms of their experience and official qualifications, it will be a great deal easier for you to see which individuals require further development and which can already offer your company more in terms of expertise. You’ll also have a better idea of specialisms if you need to delegate tasks, plus you’ll be able to see which of your team can be safely authorised to undertake more dangerous or sensitive duties.

 

Holiday and Other Leave

Staying on top of staff holiday requests can be a real nightmare, and double-booking can be embarrassing and may just put you in a difficult position. There are systems available to help you log employee holiday requests as and when they are made, as well as recording other planned absences such as maternity leave to ensure you’ll have the right amount of cover.

 

Hours Worked

You trust your staff to log correct hours on their timesheets or arrive and leave at their allotted time each day. However, on busy weeks – particularly with shift-based jobs – sometimes it can be hard for them, and you, to keep track. Keeping an automated electronic record of their working hours in real time, day in and day out, through the use of a time and attendance management system, can really streamline this process. In turn, this will assist you in generating information for payroll.

How To Update Your Records Accurately and in Real Time

The best approach to all the matters above is to look into obtaining a time and attendance management system. Time and attendance software can undertake a huge number of tasks, including logging employee arrival and departure – for which you can even set up fingerprint scanning technology for extra security. It can also manage staff leave with a feature that allows you to decide whether you want employees to enter their own holiday requests or you’d prefer to manage them yourself. These requests are then compared to those of other employees through use of a database to see if there are any clashes. Databases can also be used to record employee qualifications and training.

If you’re interested in finding out more about how a time and attendance management system can help you to keep your employees’ records up to date, simply contact ELF Time and Attendance on 01257 256000 today.

 

What is a Biometric Time and Attendance System?

Looking for Time and Attendance for your company? Check out our latest blog post here and learn more about how CEEQUEL® can help you.

They were once merely imaginative concepts used in science fiction, but, like so many other futuristic predictions, biometric devices are now very real. As technology continues to advance, security and administration systems are becoming more and more sophisticated – while at the same time their implementation grows ever easier. If you work in management for a company of any size, you may just discover that investing in a biometric time and attendance system will take a great amount of pressure off the human resources and administrative aspects of your role, freeing your time up for more productive activities. So what exactly is a biometric time and attendance system and how could it help you, your colleagues and your company?

Biometric – What Does it Mean?

 

The word “biometric” relates to the application of statistics and statistical analysis to biological data. To simplify, you could say that “biometrics” is the practice measuring aspects of the human body for use in a study, system or database.

How Can Biometrics be Used in a Time and Attendance Management System?

 

There are a number of ways in which companies can employ biometric technology to help manage members of their personnel. Two of the most popular are fingerprint and retinal scans – fingerprint scanning proving the most regularly used. The process is simple. When an employee first joins the company, a scan of their fingerprint is taken and mapped. Particular coordinates of the fingerprint are then recorded, so that every time the individual “signs in” from now on, the points located on the tip of their finger will match up with the points recorded on the system, allowing them access. This approach means that no other person can log into this employee’s work profile, access their sensitive data or enter their place of work posing as them, thus increasing the security of the site and all employees’ personal information. Additionally, if a physical area of the company’s premises can only be accessed by authorised personnel, a biometric time and attendance management system can ensure that this directive is effectively enforced.

What Can My Company Achieve With a Biometric Time and Attendance Management System?

 

Through the use of a time and attendance management system, a huge number of time consuming jobs can be automated. By having employees sign in and out using fingerprint scanning technology located at data capture terminals, the system can register the hours they have worked per shift and calculate their payroll. It can also track the speed of their completion of tasks, revealing areas where productivity could be increased. As mentioned earlier, it can allow or deny area access to certain individuals depending on their job role or level of health and safety training. You can also programme the system to know when employees are taking holiday, or are due to be working at another site, to avoid any confusion.

Rise of the Robots?

 

Some sci-fi aficionados may worry that the implementation of biometric systems will lead to the dawning of a dystopian future presided over by “Big Brother”. There’s no cause for concern, though – no data collected from personnel is retained in any way that can be abused or illegally accessed. In fact, the fingerprints themselves are erased from the system once they have been mapped, so all that remains are the relevant coordinates that were recorded for the system’s unique use. The database of employees who are registered via a time and attendance system cannot be hacked to yield personal information or data, whether by individuals, terrorist cells, local police or MI5 themselves. In fact, the opposite is true – a biometric system is really the most secure way to store employee profile information, which can be deleted as soon as that individual leaves the organisation.

How Can My Company Obtain a Biometric Time and Attendance Management System?

 

If you feel that the use of a time and attendance management system would be of use to your company, the next step is to enter into discussions with a supplier. Equipment of this kind is so versatile that it is worth making a list of work currently undertaken by management or human resources that you would like to arrange to be automated, as it is highly likely that this could be covered by a time and attendance system. By calling Time and Attendance today on 01257 256000, you can find out more about what can be achieved using custom compiled software including your choice of add-ons. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

What can Time and Attendance Systems Track?

What to know the key to managing your employees on the shop floor? Read our latest blog post here on keeping track of your workforce.

If your job role involves running or assisting in the management of a company, you may be considering investing in a time and attendance system. Due to technological advancements, many administrative procedures have now been automated to allow managers and employees more time to focus on tasks that will improve a business’s productivity and effectiveness, and the installation of a time and attendance system can take this even further. You may think that the software simply constitutes a more straightforward way for workers to clock in and out of their shifts, but, in actuality, there’s a great deal more that can be achieved, duly taking a large weight off the minds of management and freeing up more hours in the day. Here are just a few things you can track and control with the help of a time and attendance system.

 

  1. Attendance

Unsurprisingly, one of the chief purposes for which a time and attendance system is often used is the recording of staff arrival and departure times throughout a regular working day. Having an automated system involving data capture terminals present in the workplace – via which employees may sign in and out – makes it much easier to keep track of their hours and timekeeping. The system can be installed to cover multiple sites and automatically calculate a staff member’s total time spent at each.

  1. Leave

Information regarding holiday allowances, sick leave and maternity leave can be logged by employees, management or human resources staff, allowing you to keep track of who is in and who is not throughout the year without having to juggle staffing matters manually.

  1. Rotas

One of the biggest headaches a manager can come up against is that of creating an effective and watertight rota on a regular basis. If your employees’ work is shift-based, a time and attendance system can be programmed to ensure that any number of preferences can be taken into account. Whether you need an employee with a specific skill – say a trained first aider – present for each shift, or you wish to keep two staff members separate due to an ongoing dispute, a time and attendance system can create a whole bank of rotas matching all your stipulated parameters.

  1. Access and permissions

It may be that some areas of your premises are restricted and can only be accessed by authorised or correctly trained personnel, which can prove difficult to regulate and potentially hazardous should security be looser than desired. Time and attendance systems can be enhanced with software that monitors these secure areas, and passwords or swipe cards can be implemented to assist with the regulation of access permissions.

  1. “Shop floor” time management

If one of your aims is to improve the speed at which tasks are completed – therefore increasing turnover – time and attendance software is available that will undertake data capture and allow you to track the performance of individual workers or machines. This aspect comes with the added benefit of alerting management when automatic processes slow down, signalling a possible mechanical fault that may otherwise go unnoticed and could allow you to save money by having the equipment repaired as soon as an issue arises instead of having to replace the whole unit and suffering from the resulting lengthy downtime.

  1. HR and employee services

Not only can employees log their own requests for holiday and leave, software can be included in a time and attendance management system that benefits them even further. Their training and specialisms can be logged in real time, showing where they may be able to progress and assisting in the development of their careers as well as ensuring that all members of staff are up to date with all necessary qualifications.

  1. Company structure and hierarchy

It’s vital that all members of staff understand the makeup of the business for which they work, and this can prove notoriously difficult if employees work across a number of sites or for a larger organization. With a time and attendance management system, it is possible to set up options for staff search or a company structure display, allowing for a tighter team and better interdepartmental knowledge company wide.

These are just some of the elements of your business that can be improved through the installation of a time and attendance management system. For further information, get in touch with Time and Attendance today via 01257 256000 or email their helpful team today on sales@elf.uk.com to discuss your company’s unique needs and requirements.

The Pitter-Patter Of Tiny “Royal” Feet

Baby Love………check out our latest blog, on how best to manage your Maternity and Paternity absences.

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The arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s third child is now imminent. All babies are special but somehow the birth of a “Royal Baby” brings with it an extra something, an extra special sparkle

The Great British public have always rejoiced when a Princess or “Duchess”, is due to give birth. The time spent waiting outside the hospital for any news, fades into insignificance once the baby has been born, as they happily celebrate with the Royal couple.

The obligatory photo-call on the steps, that all-important first glimpse of the new infant Prince or Princess are unique moments, happily shared, documented in time forever.

Yes, it’s reasonable to say a Royal Birth is somewhat unique.

So, what happens once everyone is back at Kensington Palace and the real hard work begins? What of William and Kate as parents to three small children – as maternity and paternity leave goes, this “time off” is pretty extraordinary.

With regards to Prince William’s role, he is a future King and as a full time Royal, he still has obligations. On the flip side however, he is just like any other husband and father; he will still need and want time off, not only to help Kate but to have that cherished bonding time with his new baby.

By having baby number three, are William and Kate, global modernisers that they both are, setting a trend by moving away from the traditional 2.5? Is now the time that we are going to see a return and an inclination towards a desire for larger families?

By putting careers first, people are also choosing to start their families later in life. Fathers are currently more likely to take their paternity leave than ever before. With that information in mind, workplaces and “palaces” need to be confident that they have the necessary processes in place, in order to manage their mandatory leave of absence. Maternity and paternity leave is perhaps going to become a bigger topic in the coming years.

Shared Parental Leave (SPL) is another choice that parents have, something which, depending upon your circumstances can prove to be an attractive option. No doubt this is something, as an impending mother of three, the Duchess of Cambridge would be happy to consider.

Maternity and paternity leave; shared or not, needn’t be a daunting experience for any Human Resource Department. With the right processes in place, this scheduled leave/time off CAN be managed appropriately.

ELF Productivity Limited’s, Time and Attendance Ceequel® software suite is the current forerunner in automated processes; our leading array of software contains a centralised Human Resource module which will enhance your Time and Attendance processes. This module comprises, amongst others, an absence view that encompasses all elements of Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave. Another division of the Human Resource module is Training and Development. This field will prove to be an extremely useful tool, especially if you require or need extra training for that scheduled maternity cover.

The Graphical Absence View and Planner will also provide you with an overview of an employee’s absence for any selected year – thus allowing time for future planning.

Flexible-working, part-time working, complex shift patterns, TOIL (Time off in Lieu) – no – these are not scenarios from the day in the life of a typical Royal, they are just a few of the other complexities that ELF Productivity Limited can also help you with.

So, with that in mind are you in need of an extra “majestic” safe pair of hands for your company? Do you need a “regal” and sophisticated software system to help you stay up to date with all the Human Resource developments in your company? If so, choose the best Human Resource module on the market, choose ELF.

If you would like to know more about the supreme functionality of Ceequel® Software Suite, including our leading Time and Attendance modules; the downloadable catalogue of brochures can be found here.

Contact ELF Productivity today for a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software.

They Think It’s All Over……

“It’s coming home, it’s coming home” – Check out our World Cup blog as the countdown to Russia 2018 begins.

“They think it’s all over ….it is now!”

Those immortal words, spoken by Kenneth Wolstenholme at Wembley Stadium on 30th July 1966, were in celebration of the glorious and “only” England FIFA World Cup victory. Months of hard toil by the squad had paid off and the country celebrated like never before.

Yes, it’s that time again! The FIFA World Cup in Russia kicks off in just over three months’ time and football fever is already hotting up!

The England team’s expectations are high and given their polished qualification result, so is their preparation. As we get ready to enter into the most special of football tournaments, what are England’s chances this year? Could this be the year that England show up and deliver the greatest football of THEIR time and THEIR generation?

Every four years, homes and workplaces across the country suddenly become engrossed in the national side. Everyone has their opinion on how the team should play and everybody is an “expert”. Football becomes THE number one discussion, as conversations consist of but not exclusively, to the following:-

The Techno Hipster
This particular persona is often found at their local watering hole, usually dressed in skinny chinos, holding a pint in one hand, whilst pontificating to anyone that will listen about statistics, data analysis and the science “behind” the game – all the time caressing his somewhat striking beard!

The Best Wannabe Manager in the World
“What were they thinking of putting HIM into the line-up ……. HE’S USELESS!!!”

The Irksome Colleague
In their head, this person IS Ronaldo! They love nothing more than accosting people for several minutes/hours at a time in the kitchen, by the photocopier etc. Likes to dissect and relive every second of the match with you………… married to the game!

The Fantasy Penalty Taker
This individual knows the exact run-up, angle, time, distance and grass length it requires to take the perfect penalty. They never fail to relay this information during a match, as unlike the England team, THEIR penalties ALWAYS hit the back of the net!

The Suburban Social Climber
This particular neighbour “suddenly” finds that their dog can dribble and head a ball into any net, open window or doorway. They take great pleasure in alerting the entire neighbourhood to this rare feat; usually regaled at their obligatory World Cup Soiree’. For the duration of the tournament, “said dog” is nicknamed “Maradogga”!

Here at ELF Productivity Limited, we too are partial to a World Cup party. The “ELF Boss” is pretty generous in allowing us time-out to watch the game. He’s partial to, pretty much ALL of the post-match chit-chat that ultimately resonates around the company after a “big match”. Refer to “The Best Wannabe Manager in the World” point.

All joking apart, it is fair to say that England loves and enjoys the “beautiful game”.

The odds on England making it through the group stages have increased this year. The team is vibrant and hungry for success. What if this year WAS England’s time?

So, with that in mind, if England were to get through to the knock-out stages once again, what processes are in place for your workplace this summer; to help not only with a jolly “end of term” atmosphere but to manage the “sudden” absence requests?

Have your current processes, like a lot of Premiership players, turned out to be under-performing gaffes? Is now the time for you to “blow the whistle” and show them YOUR “red card”?

ELF Productivity Limited’s, Time and Attendance software suite is the current market leader in automated processes. Key elements within Ceequel® are two remote applications; Ceequel® Mobile Apps and Employee Self Service. These applications, that have been created for Android, Apple and Windows devices, will ultimately improve your Time and Attendance processes. They not only permit employees to clock “in and out” remotely, allowing for a more flexible working pattern but they will also “pin-point” the exact location of your remote workers.

Ceequel® is constantly progressing and we are currently refining our Time and Attendance software with fresh concepts, designs and ideas.

If you would like to know more about the supreme functionality of Ceequel® Software Suite, including our leading Time and Attendance modules; the downloadable catalogue of brochures can be found here.

Contact ELF Productivity today for a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software and make 2018 the year that you “strike out” and gain a winning team-mate for your company.

A Complete Guide to Time and Attendance Systems

Looking for a Time Management solution for your workplace? Have a read of our blog post and see why CEEQUEL® is the essential software for your company.

One of the main and most daunting factors affecting productivity within businesses – and therefore negatively affecting potential money-making opportunities and company-wide morale – is the poor or inefficient management of staff hours and performance. There are a multitude of different ways by which a company can measure, record and oversee employee attendance, but with so many aspects of your working day now being made quicker and easier through the introduction of more and more sophisticated automation – allowing you to focus on the key functions of your business and improve performance – surely there’s a way to reduce the hours you still have to spend trawling through timesheets, writing out clock cards and manually calculating hours and wages. If that’s what you’re thinking, you’re absolutely right – there is indeed a simpler answer. This is where a Time and Attendance System can be used. Time and Attendance has developed Ceequel®, a selection of human resources management modules that specialise in the management and administration of employee time and attendance records through the use of Microsoft SQL software. SQL is a digital language used when particular systems communicate with set databases, drawing information from specified fields and applying it to current activity. So, in short, a system that utilises this language will ensure that day to day activity within a business is recorded as data, then that data will be used to calculate what changes can be made to the current status quo to improve functionality and increase efficiency. ELF Time and Attendance mission statement vows that they will “provide a cost-effective solution to monitor and record all personnel attendance, utilising the latest technology, whilst delivering 100% customer satisfaction”, and all in the name of improving the performance and productivity of individual businesses. Read on to explore their handy guide that will tell you more about ELF Time and Attendance, how they work and what they could do to improve your company’s productivity and future prospects.

 

 

What is a Time and Attendance System?

Through the use of up to the minute database software, Time and Attendance modules can be installed from scratch as a brand new addition to the resources of your company. It is also possible for them to be integrated into existing systems to improve their performance. They are innovative programs that are able to automatically calculate employee hours worked – factoring in flexitime and overtime and even holiday allowance according to an employee’s length of service. These calculations and the resulting data can be produced and viewed in real time.

 

A Time and Attendance System can also help business owners and managers keep on top of irregularities in individual clocking in, such as lateness, missed clockings, unplanned clockings, unscheduled overtime or fewer hours worked than expected, enabling you to factor them into paycheck calculations, resolve any issues and plan expected absences in advance. They can also make roster generation a great deal easier by managing complex shift patterns for you – even going to far as to take into account specific skill sets necessary at certain times, such as ensuring a first aider is present on shift. Shift patterns can be stored within a library-style filing system, and regular, varied rotations can be managed across multiple sites, locations and businesses. You can even decide whether you require separate night and day shift reports. Reports can be created from the data extrapolated from your Time and Attendance System and exported, which allows you the option of a paperless, clutter-free office along with the opportunity to distribute said reports to all relevant colleagues. Graphical reporting is readily available with this software to allow for easy, straightforward analysis at HR meetings and with management teams, as is the option for automatic email reports, exception reports, basic HR reports and payroll export – meaning that even dealing with your employees’ paychecks can be automatically made many times quicker and easier! Your personnel can be easily registered with the software using any number of features, such as configurable profiles as part of an active directory featuring vital details, the option to view employees by photograph and the opportunity to set up an advanced fire register. A Time and Attendance System can even create bespoke ID badge designs for individual staff members.

 

Types of Time and Attendance Systems available

There are many available kinds of adapted Time and Attendance Systems available, each of which is suitable for a wide range of businesses and requirements. At ELF Productivity Limited, a Time and Attendance System integrated with Employee Access Control system can be used for company-wide security coverage, restricting or authorising access to certain restricted areas for specified individuals, as well as managing their attendance and performance.

If you choose to include a Human Resources Management software module, you’ll also be able to see what training each individual on shift has received, access their employee contracts, understand what equipment they have been issued or trained to use, report accidents and incidents, schedule their training and match their skills to specific tasks, keep up to date with salary changes and much more.

A Shop Floor Data Capture system allows the monitoring of employee time management and real-time progress updates. You can follow the progress of a particular project and form a database of standards against which each task can be checked. Through this system, you will be able to check the speed at which employees work, and whether they are performing to a higher or lower level than has been stated as standard for their assigned task. This software can also monitor the performance of machines, allowing for the timely identification of equipment malfunctions and calculating the cost per hour of each machine in use.

With the Employee Self Service option, you can give each of your employees access to their own individual profiles on the system, allowing them to keep track of their performance, stay motivated and track their progress. Any requests for holiday leave or explanations for absences can be recorded through this system, and internal notices can also be displayed. This particular software can be extremely helpful for individuals who often work remotely or from home, but also works well for on-site staff who wish to check or update their details or view their rota. There is an app available for both Android and Apple products for these purposes, and the system is completely secure, ensuring that only the relevant individual can access their own information.

Finally, the Web E-Manager System allows for cloud-based time and attendance management that is quick and straightforward, leaving more time for administrative staff to undertake further vital work. All facets of the basic Time and Attendance System – plus any additions – can be accessed remotely from anywhere with an internet connection, allowing you to keep up wherever you are while avoiding messy paper-based systems.

 

Advantages of Managing Employee Time and Attendance

Even smaller companies can benefit hugely from monitoring their employees’ attendance and use of time – in fact, correct task-assignment and the keeping of proper records can often make equally as great a difference to them as it can to their larger competitors. The ability to quantify the effects your employees’ current time management has on your company’s productivity – whether positive or negative – can be revolutionary, particularly when the data you are able to extrapolate can be used to make numerous changes in order to advance your performance. The application of Time and Attendance software can mean the difference between being stuck in a rut – and in the worst case, wasting precious time and money – and developing a highly functional, high-performing body of staff and work regime. Of course, you’ll also benefit no end from the time saved by automating administrative and HR work such as the management of flexitime and holiday leave, rostering, skill searching and absence management. It has been calculated than managers, employees and HR staff can spend up to eighteen minutes per employee every week on these arduous tasks, while more constructive tasks fall by the wayside or are afforded less attention. A good Time and Attendance System can save you a huge amount of time – whittling that figure down to just two minutes per employee each week – and, of course, time gained is money gained.

 

How to install a Time and Attendance System

ELF Time and Attendance will assist you in choosing the perfect system for your needs, and, after that, they’ll set about installing the software at your earliest convenience – as swiftly and efficiently as possible. Each installation is assigned its very own dedicated systems engineer to oversee the project and ensure everything runs perfectly smoothly. First and foremost, detailed information about your existing employee management activities will be collected, so that ELF can discuss your options with you and show you how you might be able to save a little time and money within the installation process. Their systems can be merged with existing software to make the transition simpler if you prefer. Engineers will also advise you on the placement of the necessary data capture terminals after a thorough examination of your site, to ensure the most efficient of arrangements. Ongoing consultations and forthcoming communication on their part every step of the way will render them able to install the perfect software for you, to an even higher and more efficient standard than you expected! Training will also be offered to any and all members of staff who will be using the terminals and software, to ensure comprehensive understanding of each element. It is recommended that this training takes place prior to the system going live, but if that is not possible then it can be rearranged for a future time at your convenience.

 

How much do Time and Attendance Systems cost?

Most versions of Time and Attendance software start at around the £300 mark, although with many customizable extras and add-ons available, the easiest way to determine the exact price of your ideal system is to request a quote directly from the providers you’re currently considering. These programs are designed to help your company improve its overall efficiency, saving money in the process, so it may be worth investing in a number of specialised features that will meet your company’s needs exactly. You’ll have a number of opportunities to discuss your requirements in the early stages of the installation, and, should certain necessary aspects of an employee management system already be in place, your chosen specialists may be able to find ways to integrate it with the new software, making it both more efficient and more cost-effective.

So, what’s the next step?

 

There are a huge number of employee Time and Attendance Systems available, so the best way to start looking for one is to make a list of all the features you feel your company would benefit from. As you’ve read above, the number of options available is considerable and rather comprehensive, so it’s likely you’ll be able to find exactly what you need. A good approach is to research the starting price for each software brand you’re considering, then enquire into the cost of a bespoke version featuring every additional facet you may conceivably need. The next step is to adjust the potential add-ons until you come to a price you feel is reasonable for a product that you know will benefit your company to the greatest degree possible. Once you have a clear idea of the product you require, you can then begin to compare brands online. If a particular type of software looks like it may offer you a good number of the facets on your checklist, take the time to request a consultation from the company. While many brands have set modules available, many elements are customisable, so they may be able to go even further towards creating your perfect bespoke product. Once you are happy with the options you have discovered, make a note of the pros and cons of each, including prices and projections of how much you estimate you may save per brand. It’s also advisable to involve any relevant HR staff and line managers in your decisions throughout, as they may see a different side to the current employee management climate that you were not initially fully aware of. Once you are happy with your decision, it’s time to contact your chosen provider and set the ball rolling.

Of course, it’s absolutely possible for a business to run effectively without a Time and Attendance System in place, but managing staff hours without one can prove exceptionally time consuming, particularly within companies that offer flexi-time, part time work or zero hour arrangements. Even if you clear time in your schedule each week for this type of administration, factoring in annual leave, sick pay, maternity leave and unplanned absences can eat even further into the rest of your working life unexpectedly. The ability to automate this aspect of your duties may even free up enough time to enable you to launch a new project or take on overdue work that has been piling up. The time you could save will be yours to utilise and invest as you see fit, and business can only improve as a result.

ELF Time and Attendance was named as one of Acquisition International’s Top 50 Technology Companies in 2016, then went on to receive Softech International Magazine’s ‘Best Time and Attendance Systems Specialists’ award in March 2017. The company is committed to the complete satisfaction of all clients and customers, which is why they work to ensure that their Ceequel® Time and Attendance System is as cost effective and user-friendly as possible, and that it is able to match all specific or bespoke requirements. Along with the comprehensive installation service that is included included in the packages and as well as the aforementioned company-wide system training they offer, you can also benefit from on-going technical support from their specialists, so whether any individuals on your staff have queries about the functions or operation of the Ceequel® terminals, or you just need a quick reminder of how to access a certain report or module facet, there will be an expert at the end of the phone ready to take your call at any time.

Moving Forward with ELF Productivity Limited

If you’re considering contacting ELF Productivity Limited to discuss your Time and Attendance System needs and discover which particular modules are right for your company, you can request a free quote today by entering a few simple details and a summary of your requirements here.

An expert advisor will contact you as soon as possible to talk you through the first steps and work with you towards creating your perfect system. For initial queries, you can also call 01257 256000 or email sales@elf.uk.com. Someone will be available to respond to you between 9 am and 5 pm from Monday to Friday. You can find further details about ELF Productivity Limited and the products and services they offer by visiting www.timeandattendance.co.uk now.

 

Brexit – Where Will You Be In 50 Years’ Time?

Keep Calm and Carry On – check out our latest blog on the future of the United Kingdom after Brexit.

The EU Referendum result on 23rd June 2016 was met with some considerable shock and disbelief; not least because nobody expected THAT outcome but rather the new territory and direction the United Kingdom was seemingly heading into.

Despite our somewhat cantankerous partnership with the European Union, leaving our European counterparts behind was, for some, not going to be an easy time.

• “We are all doomed” the general reaction from anyone who voted “Remain” and given a smidgeon of air-time by a television or radio journalist.

• “They have robbed us of our future” courtesy of The Millennial Generation – see previous blog post.

Parting company is not easy, especially once you have taken that first step towards ending the relationship. Once you realise that you are unhappy with the current status quo, glossing over an already laboured correlation, without really addressing the issue, is no longer going to “cut it”. Once that time has past and you begin to look at different alternatives, you will start to wonder, “Why did I endure this for so long”?

The United Kingdom has seen some considerable changes since the end of the Second World War. Looking back over time and at how things have changed both before and during the “EU Experiment”, we can see that there have been some considerable highs but also some devastating lows.

From The Beatles “Swinging” us through the Sixties, to the flares and the afghan coats of the 1970’s; a decade that brought with it the 3 day week, the “Iron Lady” and the “Winter of Discontent”, Great Britain has always taken everything in its stride.

“Maggie’s Den” in the 80’s helped to produce the “greed is good” mantra by many would be “yuppies” as the Tory Government concentrated on privatisation and investments. Computers were the new fascination, with everyone wanting an Amstrad or Sinclair Spectrum – retro TV tennis anyone? Home computers were THE must have accessory on everyone’s wish list BUT the best was yet to come. Great Britain’s very own Sir Tim Berners-Lee proposed his “free gift” of the World Wide Web in 1989. Without Sir Tim, there would be no Google, Twitter or Facebook…….. or blogs! As we moved towards the 90’s, home ownership was up, mainly due to Maggie’s Right to Buy legislation but interest rates were at an eye watering 15%! “Things could only get better”…….apparently.

The arrival of Anthony Charles Lynton Blair and his New Labour Government on the 2nd May 1997, signalled a new age for the UK. Tony Blair, on a tidal wave of public optimism, was elected into office at just 43 years of age! Not since Lord Liverpool, who became Prime Minster at the age of 42 in 1812, had the country elected a leader so young. At the start of his leadership, Tony was held in great affection by the British public. “Cool Britannia” emerged, as the charismatic Tony spent time entertaining and rubbing shoulders at No 10 with the Britpop clique. Predictably, his popularity began to diminish, as for want of a better expression “a dubious war” started. He also signed away part of our hard-fought EU rebate – something that was not lost on the British people.

The 21st Century was well underway when the United Kingdom experienced what can only be described as “A Rock and a Hard Place”. The City was in freefall in late 2007, as Tony Blair’s successor Gordon Brown, had the unenviable task of handling one of the worst catastrophic episodes in our financial history. The collapse of Northern Rock was the trigger for a cataclysmic event that changed our banking system forever. As a direct result, Labour were booted out of government. Fortunately, Great Britain managed to weather this un-timely storm – just – but other EU countries were crippled financially as a result.

So, as we prepare to say “Au Revoir” to the EU, what have we learned from our chequered past and what will we learn looking to the future – what do these forthcoming years hold for the United Kingdom?

From the austere 1950’s to the present time, the British have always kept a controlled stance, never wavering in the face of adversity. At no better time, did we display this stoicism than on the 5th July 1948. It was on this date, that Great Britain launched the world’s first National Health Service – just three years after the end of the Second World War. This year, our precious pride and joy founded by Labour Minster for Health Aneurin Bevan, will be 70 years old. It is still considered to be the “envy of the world”.

Our much celebrated monarch HM Queen Elizabeth 2 is, at 91, the world’s most admired Crowned Head. After more than 65 years on the throne, Her Majesty is still committed to serving the country and the Commonwealth. She has met and ministered to an astonishing 13 Prime Ministers during her sovereignty – her first being Sir Winston Churchill!

On the 29th March 2019, the United Kingdom will leave the European Union and British business must come first. President Donald Trump is a key ally who wishes to do business with the UK. In fact, the President not only predicted that we would leave the European Union before he became Commander in Chief, his comment on learning that we had in fact voted to “Leave” was “You have your country back”. The people of Great Britain are just that, we are great; we just aren’t too fond of being told to pay for someone else’s mistakes!

We have come a long way in 50 years but one thing is certain; “Made in Britain” still carries some considerable global weight. Britain is still a good place to invest. Where will your company be in 50 years’ time, will it be like the UK, still standing in the face of adverse changes? Are you willing to make arduous decisions now based on the right course of action for its future? Is now the time for you to step out and make that change?

ELF Productivity Ltd’s Time and Attendance system is the current market leader in automated processes. Part of ELF Productivity’s award-winning Time and Attendance software, is Ceequel® Shop Floor Data Capture, which delivers unparalleled, real-time production analysis and intelligent activity-based costing calculations, enabling manufacturers to enhance operational efficiencies and improve strategic decision-making.

Our knowledge and expertise is unrivalled. We are constantly developing our modules with new ideas and new ways of making Time and Attendance processes, simpler, faster and easier – we too are also “Made in Britain”. You once made a decision to “Leave or Remain”, this is an easier choice to make – invest in the best, invest in ELF.

Looking towards the future what will we do as a nation once we have left the constraints of the European Union behind; we will do what we have always done and what we are most famous for, we will “Keep Calm and Carry On”

If you would like to learn more about the unrivalled functionality of Ceequel® Software Suite, including our flagship Time and Attendance offering; a range of downloadable brochures can be found here.

Contact ELF Productivity today for a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software.

Love is in the Air and on the Shop Floor

Love is all around, check out our Valentine’s Day blog on keeping an attentive eye on your workforce.

“Love is in the Air” as John Paul Young once sang – for those of you old enough to remember and for those not old enough – it was 1977 to be precise!

February 14th is once again with us and for all you cynical people out there, Valentine’s Day is not something that can be avoided, especially as there are romantic reminders everywhere you turn. Valentine’s Day, particularly within a company, is one of those places. It has become a prime opportunity for people to make their anonymous move on that one special person who has caught their eye.

Embarking on a romance within an enterprise can turn out to be the best thing ever, or the worst, depending on the outcome and the company’s view. So what is your position as a business with regards to the wooing process or “courting” as they used to say, amongst your employees?

Where do you stand with your staff gazing at each other across the office and meeting at the photocopier? Are you happy seeing flowers, chocolates and a cuddly toy sent by a lovesick Romeo in pursuit of their Juliet? And are you content with the endless company gossip about the latest lovebirds?

Or are you, like a lot of employers out there, concerned about the lack of focus, downturn in productivity and even worse having to deal with a potential harassment claim?

Every company wants to cut their employees a little “slack” at certain times during their working day. No employer wants to be known as a tyrant in the office, especially when team building and morale is an integral part of any company’s mission statement. Unfortunately, as companies usually find out, there is a fine line between boosting staff morale and seeing your productivity output decline. As some employers call it “a very unproductive day”.

When does team building, and joviality (romantic or not) within the workplace stop and non-productive, timewasting and un-focused employees begin?

You may be asking “What’s Love Got To Do With It”? What can you do if your current Time and Attendance processes are not up to the task of monitoring your very own “Part-Time Lovers”, especially at this most romantic time of year? And what if “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” surrounding your manual, outdated and unreliable data capture system.

Here at ELF Productivity Ltd, authors of Ceequel® Time and Attendance software, we can ensure that “You’ve Got That Loving Feeling”. A module that will become your very own “Dreamlover”.

ELF Productivity’s Shop Floor Data Capture capture module is your own corporate cupid. It entwines management processes and employee tracking together. It has key features within, including, Actuals v Standard-times, Productive v Non-Productive Hours, Wages to Gross, Machine Monitoring and Incentive Scheme Calculations.

Employee Tracking is another key element within Shop Floor Data Capture. This will not only calculate the total number of hours worked by a particular employee but it will also provide details on how many hours the employee has worked on either a particular task or within a certain sector/department of the company. With fast accurate monitoring 24 hours day, transparency and clarity ensures you stay fully informed.

Here at ELF Productivity Ltd we have been at the forefront of Time and Attendance since 1982, so we are well positioned to understand that people spend a considerable amount of time in the workplace. Relationships which begin on the shop floor are more likely to end in marriage than ones that began in a pub or club. This is why we are best placed to understand the true requirements of Human Resource Management and Payroll Departments. Because of this our modules are being constantly developed to make use of any new ideas and new ways of making Time and Attendance processes, simpler, faster and more automated.

Do you want a new “Vision of Love? Is ELF Productivity Ltd and Ceequel® Time and Attendance software “The One That You Want” this Valentine’s Day?

If so, we know that “Love Takes Time” so Contact ELF Productivity today for a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software.

If you would like to learn more about the unrivalled functionality of Ceequel® Software Suite, including our flagship Time and Attendance offering; a range of downloadable brochures can be found here.

Let’s Get Physical – Not Bent Out Of Shape

From a gentle jog to a flying leap, take a look at our latest blog and find out more about flexible and remote working.

One word………… EXERCISE. How does that word make you feel, does it fill you with excitement or dread? Let’s be honest, exercise is something you either love doing or avoid with a passion. Those that avoid it usually give the same reason ……… I would like to, I just don’t have the time.

The beginning of a New Year is traditionally the most popular period to embark on a new healthy regime. Gym memberships are signed up for, usually done on the back of a New Year’s Eve resolution and healthy eating begins – again! ALL junk food stops immediately, fat skimming devices are brought out of retirement (back of the kitchen cupboard) cobwebs and dust are blown off and you feel amazing. You head into work all enthusiastic but then what happens? The ultra slim, work colleague who can eat whatever he/she wants is eating the “colonel’s secret recipe” like it’s going to be put on ration…..right in front of you! You mutter to yourself “It’s like they are doing this on purpose, they KNOW I am trying to be healthier”.

The truth is nobody is purposely trying to do that, your colleagues have always been on first name terms with the staff at the “Golden Arches”. When you embark on a new solo healthy regime and all that goes with it, cutting all the bad stuff out straightaway is too much, for even the most iron-willed of people. Gym memberships are very good but let’s be honest, how many subscriptions have you taken out and then not actually attended? How often have you started something with really good intentions and then never finished it?

Work commitments inevitably come first for most people, along with families and other obligations, the endless commute to and from the workplace can also take its toll. The new healthy regimes started with such high hopes, end up taking a back seat and it’s normally around this time of year, as we head into February, that this starts to kick in. Christmas is a dim and distant memory, along with your resolutions. So what can you do to not only keep your staff motivated but yourself during these long winter months, especially as Spring is still some way off?

This is where you find that if managed properly, the workplace can actually turn out to be one of the best places to try and be a little healthier. Promoting nutritious eating, as well as endorsing walks during the day are very beneficial and are a great way to exercise both the body and mind, as well as getting to know other colleagues better. But what if your current Time and Attendance processes are unable to cope with several of your staff out on a brisk jaunt at once, what if your manual processes are unable to handle flexible or remote shift patterns?

Flexible working or being able to work remotely from home 1 or 2 days a week, is a great incentive to a lot of current and potential employees, especially for those with children or who care for relatives etc, who given the choice, would prefer not to work the standard Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.00pm shift. A healthy work-life balance is achievable for any company and if flexible or remote working is the way forward for your company as we head into 2018, then Elf Productivity Ltd’s Time and Attendance, with Employee Self Service and Ceequel® Mobile Apps, is for you.

Elf Productivity Ltd’s Employee Self Service and Ceequel® Mobile Apps, are applications created for Android, Apple and Windows devices. Whether you are looking to collect employees clockings or support your existing workforce with legislative changes to travel time, Ceequel® Mobile App will improve your Time and Attendance processes. It not only allows employees to clock in and clock out, but it will also provide you with an exact location of your remote workers.

Ceequel®‘s Employee Self Service module is a great partner to the Ceequel® Mobile App, as it comes along side and allows employees more freedom with regards to requesting absences. The module provides employees access to their personal data and it will also allow them to request absences, such as holidays, dentists, doctors and TOIL (time off in lieu) etc, as well as remotely viewing or requesting changes to their shift roster. It also takes away some of the timely administrative duties as it devolves more responsibility to the employee.

Companies are now fully aware that employees physical and mental health needs have to be taken into consideration within the workplace. Employees need to be supported and if that means allowing them more freedom and giving them newer, faster options and with more flexibility within their shift, without impairing their output, then Elf Productivity Ltd’s Time and Attendance system is for you.

You look after the things of value to you and your personnel are worth investing in. You devote so much precious time investing and attracting the best employees possible, so why not invest the same time into your automated processes and look to the market leaders in Time and Attendance – invest in the best, invest in ELF.

Contact ELF Productivity today for a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software.

If you would like to learn more about the unrivalled functionality of Ceequel® Software Suite, including our flagship Time and Attendance offering; a range of downloadable brochures can be found here.

A Horse Fell On Me – Timewasters Versus The Real Deal

Don’t let the joke be on you, take a look at our latest blog and find out more about recruiting and retaining the best staff for your workplace.

“I’m sorry I can’t attend the interview today, but a horse fell on me”

Believe it or not, this is a genuine excuse from a potential employee, as told to a leading HR magazine, under their heading …..… “I can neigh-make it”. Recruitment is no joke, so what would you do to attract not only the best of the job-seekers out there, but separate the time-wasters from the genuine article?

Every company wants to attract the best in their field.  Flexible working, well-being and benefits are just a few of the usual enticements, but what else would you have to do, to not only attract the best talent but also retain them? Is it high salary that brings in the best?  Not necessarily so. You will find that in most cases, it is your reputation or brand that usually attracts any potential employee, word of mouth, still holds some “clout” (as we say in the North), whether that be face to face or via social media.

If an employee is aware that they’re appreciated by their significant managers, this is quite simply “gold” to a company, as it usually signifies that the company is caring, stable and forward thinking.  An employee’s confidence and self-esteem is lifted and they feel well looked after. Any company or manager that does or doesn’t grasp hold of this “nugget” will reap their own individual reward! To a significant number of individuals, going home at the end of the working day and knowing that they’ve not only contributed to but finished a great job still holds some weight.  People still want to work for a good, well thought of company, a place where they don’t just clock in, clock out and take home a salary.

Lack of support and progression in the workplace, has been shown to be a major demoralising factor.  A happy and enthusiastic workforce is the engine of any company, therefore senior management need to engage or touch base on a regular basis with all their employees to make sure that everyone is happy and enthusiastic. Once you have the key elements of Human Resource Management in place, attracting and retaining the right staff will not be an issue.

This is where we at Elf Productivity Ltd authors of Ceequel® Software Suite come in, as our Time and Attendance software and knowledge is unrivalled. Elf Productivity Ltd’s Human Resource Management and Shop Floor Data Capture modules have key elements that incorporate all of the above.

Ceequel® Shop Floor Data Capture includes an Incentive Scheme Calculation, which is particularly popular within industrial companies.  This module converts individual operator performance with performance related pay.  The benefits of this are increased accuracy and any bonus calculations identified, will export to the payroll immediately. No employee wants to have to constantly chase up their manager or payroll department, be that for a bonus or an increase in earnings! Elf Productivity Ltd’s Time and Attendance system puts an end to all of that, with its fast and accurate monitoring, 24 hours a day.

Elf Productivity’s Human Resource Management module is a fully centralised HR system.  Key features within this module are Training, Flexible Benefits and Appraisals, elements that are productive to both employer and employee.

When a new employee starts work, the list of tasks that the Human Resource department have to work their way through can be draining.  You probably feel like you have already run a marathon after just the recruitment and interview stages. Elf Productivity Ltd’s unmatched Time and Attendance software takes away all the hard work from this time consuming process, even more time consuming if you are still using manual and outdated methods.

Here at Elf Productivity Ltd we have had, like everyone else, our own recruitment experiences (I must admit, no horses though) which is why we are best placed to understand what Human Resource and Payroll Departments want. We are continually developing our modules with new ideas and new ways of making Time and Attendance software processes, simpler, faster and easier.

Keep the staff happy and you are halfway there, don’t have a factory shutdown or mutiny on your hands from disgruntled and underappreciated employees……….. naming no names Mr President!

You use valuable time attracting and recruiting the best, so why not put your time into your automated processes and invest in the best, invest in ELF.

Contact ELF Productivity today for a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software.

If you would like to learn more about the unrivalled functionality of Ceequel® Software Suite, including our flagship Time and Attendance offering; a range of downloadable brochures can be found here.