Employee Self Service – Page 2 – Time and Attendance

Made In The UK

Remember a time when it seemed that every town had its own Trotters Independent Traders.

A ‘Del’ and a ‘Rodders’ on every corner shouting the loudest to get the attention of savvy housewives, drawing their eyes to their latest ‘deal of the day’.

No fancy advertising, no gimmicks, just good old-fashioned straight talking, mais oui!

If you liked it, you bought it and we bought.

Well, unless you have had your head buried firmly in the sand for the last three years, this month providing all goes to plan, the UK is scheduled to leave behind its current ‘marketplace’ along with its petulant European cousins.

Au Revoir, Adiós, Auf Wiedersehen, Addio, farewell, so long, toodle pip!

Like it or not, Brexit is now firmly within the UK’s grasp and it’s racing towards the white cliffs faster than Lewis Hamilton on a tight bend.

The hottest debate is of course the future of British businesses, particularly manufacturing. Made in Great Britain is not only fundamental but key to a life after Brexit.

In today’s business climate, the ‘marketplace’ as we know it, may be about to alter but the confident traders and manufacturers are still out there.

Made in Great Britain, Made in the UK, what image do they portray?

They represent quality and global excellence. They epitomise hardworking, skilled craftsmen and women that are not only astute but confident that their products are the best on the ‘market’.

But, to remain competitive in any ‘marketplace’ you need the right ‘tools’ to help you manage your organisation appropriately and accurately.

But au contraire, not all ‘tools’ are the same.

Everyone wants a good deal but not at a hefty price and as you are aware you don’t have to be a ‘canny’ housewife to spot a good deal or indeed a bad deal!

So, what would a ‘deal of the day’ mean for your business?

Would it enable you to make progressive plans? Would it enable you to ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ during this transitional phase for the United Kingdom, whilst allowing you to remain competitive in YOUR market?

When the UK departs from the European Union on Friday 29th March, will you be confident that you have all the necessary ‘tools’ in place for your business and indeed your workforce?

ELF Productivity Ltd and CEEQUEL® software suite, a Biometric Time and Attendance management solution that incorporates software modules Human Resources, Employee Self Service, E-Manager and Access Control as standard.

If you would like to know more about a British brand that has been serving workforce management competently for almost 40 years, contact ELF Productivity Ltd today for a free demonstration and no obligation quotation of CEEQUEL® software suite.

Alternatively, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here and make today the day you get on board with CEEQUEL®.

School’s Out

You know the scenario, childcare is all booked when suddenly, without warning and usually via text or email as is the normal notification method these days, the deal is off!

It’s awkward enough when it’s a professional organisation reneging on the arrangement but when family bail, it can cause undue frustration.

Now I’m not saying that grandparents don’t love their little darlings but often the thought of having a VERY hyper and over-excited little one racing around their normally calm and ‘zen’ like home interrupting their daily fix of Judge Rinder and Movies-for-Men, can be too much to bear.

In case you didn’t realise, the first half-term of 2019 is here, or almost, depending on your location. And for the motorists that are child-free, the clearest roads all year so far but that’s another story!

What is it about school holidays that takes planning to the extreme, the likes of which are only ever seen and reserved for military exercises?

Easter, summer, Christmas, the planning list is never-ending, and it usually involves reverting to a back-up plan B. Throw in sickness and illness, you get the picture, and this is just the parents!

It goes without question that working parents undertake an intense juggling act, especially when their brood consists of more than the usual 2.4 children, some of whom are not necessarily of school age.

Workplace and childcare, unless you have the luxury of an in-house creche, they don’t usually go together.

Unless you are an employer that walks around blinkered, you will have realised long ago that with holiday prices forever increasing around this time, employees begrudge taking their holiday leave if they suddenly find they have no available childcare.

At the other end of the scale, employees who would prefer to be at home with their family during this time rather than pay for extra childcare, can find themselves stuck in a regimented working shift pattern, with no room for change.

So, what is the solution, what can be done to modify a way of working that both suits and benefits everyone?

Say the words ‘remote’ and ‘flexible’ out loud and management shrink back in horror! Believe it or not, these working options are now not only leading the way for Human Resources current recruitment drive but are by far and away the most popular.

So, is it time for your company to make a change?

ELF Productivity Ltd can help and assist in restructuring your Time and Attendance processes in a way that you never thought possible.

Employee Self Service, CEEQUEL® clocking applications and E-Manager, just three of the CEEQUEL® Human Resource Management tools that can help with such a transition.

Remote clocking, flexible working and working from home, not only a possibility for your business but a reality.

With CEEQUEL® software, rescheduling emergency childcare situations within your business will be relegated where they belong; the past.

If you would like to take know more about the unrivalled software suite that is CEEQUEL® contact us today and take advantage of a free, no obligation quotation and demonstration.

Alternatively, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here.

Are You Gonna Go My Way?

We’ve all fallen in love with John Redmond and Kayleigh Kitson from Car Share. A series’ which highlighted two work colleagues sharing the daily commute together and introduced us to two of the most popular and adorable characters ever created by Peter Kay and Sian Gibson.

Peter and Sian’s witty, comic timing and observational comedy, was crucial in bringing to life an otherwise tedious subject.

Miss Kitson, she’s as giddy and dizzy as they come, a very likeable and effervescent character but what was she really like?

Well, she liked a tipple or 10 (remember the “Cheeky Vimto” session) therefore she was prone to the odd hangover. She was partial to knocking out the odd “tune” via Forever FM, knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it and she really, really, REALLY wanted to be on John’s “Christmas team!”

This brings us to her partner in crime; John Redmond. Mr Belt and Braces himself, the quintessential image of middle management. A mild-mannered gentleman, who loved to “push the envelope”, his “Nan Rose” and his band “Compendium”; probably in that order.

But, what was he actually like?

Well, underneath the surface, John liked things just as they were. He didn’t like to “rock the boat” or venture any change within his orderly life. John, unlike Kayleigh, was not a risk taker, he was mellow, easy going and laid back; except when faced with a fugitive in the shape of an incontinent monkey!!

John and Kayleigh, two very diverse personalities and who, under different circumstances, probably would’ve just about managed to nod to each other in the staff canteen.

If you, like most of the ELF Team, especially the “ELF Boss” were hooked on the series’ and were genuinely sad to see it end, then you would’ve recognised not only yourself in the banter about HR, management, staff and shifts but your colleagues too.

Remember “Stink Ray” the VERY loud, back-seat driving smelly fishmonger? “Back in Okinawa, it was BOOM TIME!!”

Joking aside, if you looked beyond the witty repartee, the series’ brought to the forefront a very real issue, a daily commuting battle, a battle which Kayleigh endured, to make it into work on time.

On closer inspection, at one stage, Kayleigh’s commute consisted of the following;

A walk to the bus stop
A bus ride to the train station and subsequent train journey
Another bus ride or walk, depending on the weather, into work

Repeat for the return journey!

How would you fare if that was your commute every single day?

According to a recent article reported by a leading HR magazine, Inchcape research has discovered that 18.6 million UK workers commute daily by car and out of those, just 12.3 million car share. The research concluded that the average weekly spend on driving to work equated to £38.72 per motorist and from that, the yearly spend tallied up to more than £1,700.00!

That’s a lot of gas!

If 4 people were to car share twice weekly, based on the figures produced, each would save £527.00 annually.

According to Lifeshare.com and reported in the same article, CEO Ali Clabburn stated “If the UK’s motorists’ car shared for just one day, not only would they save money but congestion and pollution would be reduced by 10% and traffic jams by 20%”

So is car-pooling the only other option available out there? Are we to follow Peter Kay’s lead and Car Share?

Whilst great for a TV series and the obvious friendship benefits, access to a car-pooling scheme within a business isn’t always forthcoming or feasible.

Unfortunately, back in the real world, car sharing, walking or cycling to work just isn’t workable for a lot of people, especially those with child-care obligations

If pressed, every worker would admit, that although they love where they work and the people etc, they would prefer to be spared the costly, daily commute at the dreaded peak times. Throw into the mix the most recent mis-management of the UK’s sub-standard rail network and you get the picture.

So, what if there WAS another way?

Flexible and remote working possibilities are now becoming more and more mainstream within the workplace. If this is not an option your company has considered before, there has never been a better time for you to pursue it.

Potential new employees now consider flexible working to be a standard option offered within their remuneration package. It is now proving to be a deciding factor when job hunting; throw a remote working prospect into the job offer and you are heading in the right direction.

If you aren’t already aware, Brexit has pushed the recruitment process further into the public eye with an apparent skills shortage now a real possibility; the whole recruitment process needs to be approached a little more differently.

Candidates are able to pick and choose job opportunities like never before.

This is where ELF Productivity can step in and help you.

ELF Productivity Ltd, authors of CEEQUEL® software suite is at the forefront when it comes to Time and Attendance processes, Human Resource Management and flexible working options for ALL businesses.

Mobile clocking applications for Android, Apple and Windows devices, along with CEEQUEL® Human Resources and E-Manager modules, will free your management team from time consuming administration tasks, whilst at the same time streamlining your Time and Attendance processes; giving you the edge over your competitors.

CEEQUEL® Employee Self Service, software that hands over more control to your employees. Installed in a centralised area or alternatively on a PC, this module can be accessed via employees’ smart phones or tablets. Flexi-Time requests, holidays, shift rotas etc. can all be requested via this module.

Remote working is not to be feared with CEEQUEL®, as an employee’s clocking times are recorded in Real-Time, enabling you to pinpoint their location exactly.

With employees’ well-being and lifestyle improved, this will make for a happier, relaxed and more content workforce.

With the summer drawing to a close and the new academic year almost upon us, the daily commute and all that entails, will soon rear its ugly head again. The scorching summer heatwave, Royal Wedding and World Cup matches, will all be dim and distant memories.

With that in mind, would you not like to take that step and consider another alternative for your workplace? Would your workforce not benefit from a more flexible working pattern this autumn?

Are you willing to consider introducing remote working for perhaps the first time?

If, unlike John Redmond, you WOULD like to “rock the boat” and be more like Miss Kitson and see a real change and transformation in your company’s Time and Attendance processes, contact ELF Productivity’s Sales Office today on 01257 256000 for a free, no obligation quotation and demonstration of CEEQUEL® software.

If you feel your company would benefit from the unrivalled product that is CEEQUEL® software suite, please feel free to download our brochure catalogue here and comprehend today all that can be achieved in your workplace.

What’s In A Name?

“Say my name, say my name” Have a read of our latest blog post on recruiting and retaining the best staff for your workforce.

“So, your name is Molly, why?”

Taken aback by that question? Struggling to think of a suitable answer? In fact, what sort of a reply can you possibly give or be expected to give when faced with that question?

Reported recently by a leading HR magazine, that question was actually put to a potential employee during the interview process.

But it doesn’t end there.

Another question was asked, this time to a different candidate;

“What space phenomenon do you relate to?”

This time around however, the quick witted candidate was faster off the mark and fired back with the response;

“A black hole, because I suck all the energy out of the room”

Very clever!

Let’s be honest, we have all experienced the odd interview/interviewee and here at ELF Productivity we are not immune to it.

Several years ago, we experienced what can only be described as a severe case of emotional attachment and/or trust issues, which involved “the girlfriend” wanting and actually attempting to sit in and attend “the boyfriend’s” interview!

All joking apart, let’s be honest, over the years both employees and Human Resource departments have seen it all during the recruitment process, for further clarification, please refer to our previous blog post; “A Horse Fell On Me – Timewasters vs the Real Deal”

With Brexit now on the horizon and as the country manoeuvres and weaves its way through this complex transitional time, the recruitment process is now no longer about candidates fighting for that key placement. As we inch ever closer to leaving our grouchy European cousins behind, a skills shortage is now emerging as a real possibility.

Candidates leaving the UK for the foreseeable future, have left the door wide open for others to step in and reap the opportunities that are now on offer. Training, flexible/remote working, study support/leave and attractive remuneration packages are now dangled enticingly under potential employees noses.

Where once a replacement could easily be found, companies now need to re-think their whole recruitment strategy and offer flexible working and in-house training as standard options. Throw into the mix the ever increasing retirement age, advancements in digital development, employees having to work until they “drop”; that was a joke by the way, companies have little option but to market their particular brand with a lot more skill, knack and aptitude in what is now, a very competitive market.

But how would you make a good impression? What options would you need to offer, what changes would you have to make with regards to your own processes and procedures, in order to have the best workforce possible?

Let’s go back to the original question, “What’s in a name?”

Say the name ELF Productivity Limited or to its software peers, CEEQUEL® and you have an instantly recognisable brand.

That’s because CEEQUEL® is a name that you can trust.

ELF Productivity Limited has been at the forefront of Biometric Time and Attendance Management systems since 1982.

Where others have failed, CEEQUEL® has prevailed.

Without wishing to sound arrogant, you have to hold a very good deck of cards in your hands to put your head above the parapet and be able to withstand the competition in the Time and Attendance market for over 35 years.

As we progress into another new phase of development, ELF Productivity Ltd remains at the cutting edge, not only in terms of in-house talent but in the sheer vast knowledge of Biometric Time Management solutions that comes only from experience.

With an all-encompassing, fully integrated software solution such as Human Resource Management, your entire workforce can be managed from one central kiosk. This fully integrated CEEQUEL® module can co-exist on the same Time Attendance database or as a standalone HR Management solution.

Employee Self Service,Web-Manager and Shop Floor Data Capture; all come under ELF’s very impressive belt. CEEQUEL® mobile apps for Android, Apple and Windows devices are an added benefit for those employees that prefer to be a little more remote and flexible.

Biometric Access Control with fingerprint and facial recognition will help you monitor and track your entire workforce; whilst Shop Floor Data Capture will help you convert operator performance into performance related pay and bonuses.

CEEQUEL® Time and Attendance software suite has it all.

So what are you waiting for, isn’t it time you became acquainted with a name you can depend on, a Time and Attendance Management solution that continues to live up to its name, time and time again?

If you would like to learn more about the incomparable software suite that is CEEQUEL® Contact ELF Productivity Ltd today today for a free demonstration and no obligation quotation.

For a closer look at CEEQUEL®, our range of brochures can be downloaded here here

ELF Productivity Limited and CEEQUEL® names you can rely on, names you can trust.

Grease Is The Word

“I got chills, they’re multiplying”! Have a read of our latest blog post and discover how the original is ALWAYS the best.

This year sees the 40th Anniversary of that timeless classic movie of 1950’s teenage angst….. GREASE!

That’s right, the all singing, all dancing, hand-jiving ageless flick which turned Olivia Newton John and John Travolta into overnight stars, has reached the BIG 40!

To understand how Grease became THE movie of 1978 – if not all time, Vince Fontaine probably sums it up the best with his understated line “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose; it’s what you do with your dancin’ shoes”

Admit it; you really didn’t think that 40 years had passed by since you were singing “Summer Nights” and declaring “Sandy! You just can’t walk out of a drive-in”!

Time, unfortunately for everyone, really does have a habit of ticking by.

Even though 1978 still seems like yesterday for some of you; long hot summers, Spangles and Marathon bars (ask your Mum) does anyone remember or even realise that there was actually a sequel to Grease in the 1980’s?

Even though there were some great films in the ‘80’s, Grease 2 sadly isn’t one of them.

Released with great hype and expectation, the film has the same style of characters but without any of the original “chemistry “or endearing quality that everyone felt with The Pink Ladies and the T-Birds. By trying to recreate the original and as we all know you can’t improve on the genuine article, they produced a big fat dud! Ultimately, that familiar sense of “this is not what I was expecting” kicked in. The cinema paying public definitely weren’t “Hopelessly Devoted” to THIS sequel and gave it a big thumbs down!

To be fair, how can you improve on something that was so imaginative, so creative, that even now 40 years later, is still adored?

Sadly, this is what it can feel like with Time & Attendance Management systems. On the surface they may look and sound alike but not all Time & Attendance software is the same.

Here at ELF Productivity Limited, authors of the original CEEQUEL® software suite, we have been at the forefront of Biometric Time & Attendance and Human Resource Management since 1982. Other Time & Attendance systems may give the impression that they are comparable to ELF but CEEQUEL® is distinctive.

What sets ELF Productivity apart from all other systems is that our understanding and proficiency is incomparable. CEEQUEL® software is constantly evolving and as we advance into another new phase of development, we remain the definitive enterprise in Time & Attendance procedures – in other words the “Real McCoy”.

Software that works harder and deployed the way you want it, either via your existing IT infrastructure or via the cloud. CEEQUEL® Apps for iPhone, Android and Windows, provides your workforce with worldwide connectivity.

CEEQUEL® Employee Self Service and E-Manager modules will equip you with all the tools necessary, to enable you to manage not only your HR obligations but your remote and flexible workforce, whilst Access Control and Shop Floor Data Capture will come alongside and help you monitor and keep track of your entire workforce.

So, with all that information in mind, is CEEQUEL® software suite “The One That You Want” for your company this year? Do you need a Biometric Time & Attendance system that will “Go Together” with your existing workforce?

If so, choose the number 1 in Time & Attendance Management, choose the original CEEQUEL®

If you would like to know more about the advanced and revolutionary software suite that is CEEQUEL® our index of brochures can be found here.

Contact ELF Productivity Ltd today today for a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of CEEQUEL® software

And remember, keep dancin’!

I Think I Wanna Marry You

Booked yourself twice? Read our latest blog post on how to effectively and remotely manage more than one engagement….

“Get me to the Church on Time” ….

The marriage of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle is now just weeks away. The nation’s, if not the world’s favourite Prince has found “The One” in Meghan and has decided, at the grand old age of 33, it’s now finally time to produce the “Band of Gold” and “Kiss the Bride”. The man of the moment is ready to settle down and experience both “Love AND Marriage”.

On Saturday 19^th May 2018, all eyes will be on St George’s Chapel in Windsor, as Harry and his glamourous American fiancé say “I Do”. This union will be cause for much celebration. Ever since actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco, the world has loved a good old fashioned “The Prince and The Showgirl” love story.

A Royal Wedding bash or “knees-up” is something else, unless of course you are soccer fan.

In what has turned out to be the only real sting in this “fairy-tale”, the wedding of the year will clash with the ultimate football match …….the annual FA Cup Final!

HM Queen along with the rest of the Royal family, the movers and shakers of Hollywood will all be in attendance but what of Prince William; as President of the FA, where will he be spending his time?

If a new baby isn’t going to be enough for him to deal with, see previous blog post; The Pitter-Patter of Tiny Royal Feet, he now has to decide where to be on his little brother’s special day.

Football, Wedding, Football, Wedding……hmmm which do you choose?

Here at ELF Productivity Limited authors of CEEQUEL® Time and Attendance System, we have all the bases covered when it comes to remote working and flexible shift patterns. No more worrying about getting to the office (or church) on time to “clock in”, it can all be done remotely via an Android, Apple or Windows device – you really can be in two places at once!

“Going to the Chapel” AND the match will not be an issue with ELF Productivity’s CEEQUEL® Mobile Apps and Employee Self Service software, as these applications have been designed with “on the go” employees in mind. Every remote clocking is recorded in real-time; therefore giving you an instant and exact overview of your employees’ location.

But it doesn’t stop there. Employees have access to all their personal data whilst on the go, thus allowing for absence requests, such as holiday (or honeymoon) requirements, dentists, doctors and hospital appointments etc. CEEQUEL® Mobile Apps and Employee Self Service are just two of the modules that ELF Productivity’s Ceequel® software suite encompasses; our knowledge and expertise are unequalled.

With that in mind, is your Human Resources department in need of some “Time, Love and Tenderness this year? Would you like ELF Productivity Limited to come alongside and become that “Perfect” partner for you?

If you would like to know more about the incomparable 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.

Your company and ELF Productivity Limited the “Perfect” marriage.

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.

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.

Disco 2000 – The Millennial Generation

From Disco 2000 to the year 2018, take a look at our latest blog and find out more about recruiting the Millennial Generation.

It’s January again and it’s traditionally the time to plan and to look forward to a new year ahead, unblotted, brand-new, ready and waiting. It’s also a time to reflect on things past and to ask yourself, could I do this better, is there something else out there, something different?

Let’s rewind to the year 1995……

Pretty much everyone knows the catchy song “Disco 2000” by the band Pulp right? For a certain few of us it’s hard to believe that that song is now over 20 years old! Does it only seem like yesterday that you were dancing and singing along to it – it’s interesting how time flies isn’t it?

It’s even more interesting, that Y2K babies as they become known who were born in the year 2000, the year that seemed a long way off in 1995, are now approaching adulthood. These Millennium babies are now looking to join the big world of commerce and industry, looking to make their own individual mark on the world.

2018 is the year when the last of what is known as the Millennial Generation enters the workplace. Everyone born in the year 2000 who have chosen not to pursue further full time education, will this year, enter into employment.

So the question we ask you is, are you ready?

• Are you ready to attract the Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Tech-Savvy Teenagers?
• How will your brand be attractive to an enthusiastic, prospective employee?
• How will your Human Resource and Payroll Departments deal with potential Apprenticeships?
• Can your current systems handle the various shift patterns and training that inevitably accompany these placements, whilst still meeting your current workforce’s needs and obligations?

Do you have the right Time and Attendance system in place, or are your current processes, like the song “Disco 2000”, stuck back in 1995?

Again we ask, are you ready?

Here at Elf Productivity Ltd, authors of Ceequel® Time and Attendance, we are ready!

We have been at the forefront of Time and Attendance since 1982, in fact, Elf Productivity Ltd was established not long after the start of the Millennial Generation (1980 -2000).

Elf Productivity Ltd is part of that same generation; we understand technology like they do, because we are the original trailblazers. We are continually developing new ideas and new ways of making Time and Attendance processes, simpler, faster and easier.

Human Resource Management, Employee Self Service, Apps for i-Clocker and Android, are just a few of the modules that Elf Productivity Ltd provides.

So, take the apprehension out of training and working alongside a technology confident teenager (Q to his friends) and have the latest Time and Attendance software in place, along with Elf Productivity’s bespoke user friendly training.

Take it from us, the first of the Millennial Generation, Elf Productivity Ltd’s Human Resource Management module is your Bond to their Q!

So don’t hesitate, contact ELF Productivity today for a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software and as Jarvis sings in the song…. “Let’s all meet up”.

Go forward into 2018, better prepared and with the latest and most up to date software in terms of automated systems in place, for ALL your workforce.

Absence Management – “Anyone know where Bob is?”

Knowing exactly how many absences and holiday days each of your employees have had is key to the successful running of your organisation. Not knowing which of your staff is in the office at any one time could have substantial problems for your organisation especially if it leads to departments being under staffed.

Keeping track of your employees absences – whether it be holidays, medical reason or sick days can be a difficult task for any organisation, especially if there are no set processes in place to do so. Not knowing who’s in at any one time can cause major disruptions to departments or even productivity. Employees who have a busy workload themselves are sometimes asked to take on even more work to assist with that of an absent employee.

Absence Management Software

Introducing absence management software into your organisation can drastically help manage your entire workforce. Mangers can access individual employee data in real-time, at the touch of a button. Employee clock in data, absences and holiday information is all stored within the one easy to use system. Managers have full access to every employee’s holiday calendar allowing them to view who’s off on which shift at what time. This information allows them to monitor and identify when agency staff need to be called in to cover. This also provides managers the ability to ensure your facility is staffed adequately in order to avoid any disruptions or fall in production. All employee clock-in data is also stored within the system allowing managers to identify at the earliest opportunity when an employee is absent.

A number of customised reports can also configured to run automatically, within the absence management system. Employers can customise reports to flag up any employees with a significantly high absence rate or initiate triggers specific to your company KPI’s. Line managers are then able to monitor and interact with employees immediately. Absence reports can also be customised based on days, weeks or months. The system will even report on an employee who has called in sick and identify if a holiday request for that day was previously submitted and rejected.

Absence management however doesn’t have to just be something an employer does. By giving your employees access to their own data they can take control of their own clocking in and attendance records. CEEQUEL Employee self-service provides your employees with access to their own personal data. Employee can view their current and weekly time cards, view absences by day or week basis and update personal information such as next of kin and emergency contact. Employees are also able to view any planned of taken holidays and send out holiday request to be approved by their line manager. Employee self-service also lets employees who work shifts view their weekly working pattern. The system is username and password protected, and can be customised to only show the information you want the employee to see.

For more information on how an absence management system can help your organisation better manage your workforce contact us today!