Time Management – Page 4 – Time and Attendance

To Duvet Or Not To Duvet, That Is The Question.

A gentle reminder, just in case you had forgotten……the clocks turn back this weekend.

What is that you whisper, “It can’t be, not already, it’s still warm”!

After experiencing its hottest and driest summer since the infamous 1976 heatwave, the UK is now tootling headlong into mid-winter.

As we prepare to say goodbye to good old British summertime for another year and embrace GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) again, preparations for the advancing winter months are now well underway.

First up on the horizon are the obligatory cold and frosty mornings – nothing wakes you up faster than chipping away at an icy windscreen!

Quicker than the time it takes to de-ice your car, Christmas is knocking at the door. Before you have time to polish off that mammoth, impulse-buy turkey you just had to have, you will find yourself ringing in a snowy and icy New Year…. you get the picture.

On the plus side to this winter wonderland, we get to experience long, warm and cosy nights curled up in front of the fire. We get to partake in the cultural activity that is the clocking-off snowball “fight-off” but for some, there just isn’t enough recompense; the shorter daytime hours really are dreaded.

As we head into the “most wonderful time of the year” Human Resource Departments up and down the land are bracing themselves for the infamous and predictable Monday morning telephone calls, which usually go a little something like this….

Cough cough, “Hello, I’m really sorry but I can’t come in to work today, I’m really not feeling well, cough, cough, I think I might have flu”

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry to hear that, do you think you will be in tomorrow”?

Cough, cough accompanied by the required croaky and tired sounding voice, “I will try my best”.

Possibly not flu….

It’s textbook, you could write the script, you know it and we know it too.

Everyone recognises the scenario, as soon as the dark and cold mornings appear, what is normally passed off as the usual ‘Monday Morning Blues’ now becomes the……’Duvet Day’

In case you weren’t aware, the UK is apparently the “sickie” capital of Europe.

Research Group ADP recently surveyed 2,000 people across France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK.

In the UK, an astonishing 27% of the people surveyed thought it was “acceptable” to take a ‘Duvet Day’ when they weren’t ill, whilst the European average percentage who thought it WAS acceptable to pull a ‘sickie’ was 21% – 6 percentage points lower than the UK!

So where are we going wrong?

Why do people feel that it is somewhat acceptable to have a cavalier attitude towards work? More importantly, whose responsibility is it to not only address this issue but to put it right?

Within any business the most obvious answer is to build better working relationships and create suitable working options for ALL your employees.

By supporting, motivating and encouraging your staff, you will be helping to alleviate once and for all, the temptation that they have, which makes them want to turn over in bed, hit the snooze button, pull the duvet even tighter and make “that” telephone call.

At the same time, you need to recognise and give the appropriate support and choices to those employees who you know are genuinely ill or who have a valid reason for their absence.

Flexi-time, along with remote working options for your employees, these are all possibilities for your business, these are all possibilities that CEEQUEL® software can help you with.

ELF Productivity recognises that a happy and committed workforce = better output and improved productivity for your business.

Established in 1982, ELF Productivity Ltd has emerged as a leading force in Biometric Time Management solutions, there is no Time and Attendance scenario that CEEQUEL® has not experienced.

With a Time Management system that allows you to monitor ALL of your workforce, CEEQUEL® software is at the cutting edge when it comes to a Time and Attendance solution for ALL your Human Resource requirements.

Interested in learning more?

Do you need to take the anxiety out of your Monday mornings?

Contact ELF Productivity Ltd today and be confident and reassured with the knowledge that you and your staff are better prepared and equipped, for what this winter holds.

For a closer look at CEEQUEL® software, the portfolio of brochures can be downloaded here

A Growing Mature Workforce and What to Do About It

The BBC reported recently on the RSPCA receiving an official warning from the Charity Commission. The warning was issued after interim CEO Michael Ward received a 6 figure sum as a payoff; allegedly the result of challenging the recruitment process.

Michael Ward was appointed interim Chief Executive in June 2017; however he claimed he was a victim of age discrimination when a younger candidate was appointed to the role permanently. He stated that he did not get the permanent post due to his age and the RSPCA subsequently paid out a sum well over his £150,000 salary.

How old is Michael Ward?

Michael is 57 years old.

Every day there appears to be something else reported in the media, whether that is social or economic, regarding an ever present, growing, ageing workforce.

Surely workers shouldn’t be made to feel that they have nothing else to offer within the workplace, once they have reached 50 and beyond?

Sadly, discrimination on the shop-floor and indeed the office isn’t new. Workers from all sides of the social spectrum have experienced it.

From part-time workers, to new parents returning to work and finding their position isn’t the one they left behind when they embarked on their maternity/paternity leave. Inexperienced adolescents on training schemes, or mature workers considered “too long in the tooth” for a real shot at promotion or leadership.

How times have changed.

Thirty years ago, had you decided to carry on working after the ages of 60 and 65 respectively, you would’ve been looked at incredulously.

Sadly in today’s economic climate that is not the case and unfortunately for the majority, it is not a choice.

Today the country has a serious issue right under its nose; a very real mature workforce and it is G R O W I N G!

The retirement age in the UK has risen considerably. From next year the State Pension Age will increase again for both men and women, rising to 66 by October 2020. Another increase by the Government is planned between 2026 and 2028, where it will then rise from 66 to 67 years.

State pensions saved hard for retirement, now not accessible until the worker is almost 70!

The pride and joy that is our NHS has certainly done its job well over the last 70 years but at the same time, it probably hasn’t helped. With better and more accessible healthcare, the NHS has become a victim of its own success.

With improved standards of living and better employment rights, people are now quite easily reaching 90 and 100 years old, however, with no real structure in place to provide for this ageing population, the mature workforce has little or no option but to carry on working.

Workers in their 70’s or even 80’s are being reported as to still be “clocking in” via the national and local media.

So, what do we do about it and what methods are you putting into place to take care of the “Baby Boomer” and subsequent “Generation X” age groups?

With the onset of AI, you as an employer not only have a duty of care but a responsibility to re-train your mature workforce. With remote and flexible working now becoming more and more mainstream, this is the most obvious option available, for ALL your employees.

With a more generational workforce in place, companies will have the benefit of both worlds; youth and vitality vs experience and wisdom.

With that information on board, if you haven’t looked at the options out there to cater for your employees, isn’t it time that you did?

ELF Productivity Ltd is at the forefront when it comes to managing your workforce successfully, effectively and efficiently.

CEEQUEL® Biometric Time and Attendance software suite is developed in-house by our team of highly skilled and experienced developers. With software modules available for every possibility and a solution for EVERY Human Resource department issue, CEEQUEL® is the essential daily “tool “that your business needs.

Whether that need is the company incorporating a training matrix for an apprenticeship placement, performing a return to work interview for maternity/paternity leave or granting flexible working shift patterns and remote working, CEEQUEL® is THE collaborator that your company necessitates.

CEEQUEL® software is at the cutting edge in terms of originality, innovation and uniqueness.

Where others follow, CEEQUEL® leads.

If you are interested in implementing a real change in your company’s Time and Attendance processes, a change that benefits your ENTIRE workforce, download the brochure portfolio and contact the sales department today on 01257 256000, for a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of CEEQUEL® software.

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’!

Are You Allowing A Toxic Culture Into Your Workplace?

“Don’t you know that you’re toxic”. Have a read of our latest blog post here, on the best way to highlight that toxic employee.

Let’s be honest, we have all experienced a difficult co-worker or manager at some time in our working lives. This is nothing new in the workplace but sadly, as a recent Harvard Business Study uncovered, bullying and incivility is not something that your company can afford to ignore.

The business study, which was undertaken by 60,000 employees, highlighted the true financial cost to businesses on the shop floor that employed people with a partiality to, but not exclusively, the following :-

• Vulgarity
• Lack of respect
• Lack of manners
• Discourteousness
• Coarseness
• Impoliteness
• Rudeness

The study also highlighted that by allowing such individuals to remain in the company over a long period of time, had a detrimental effect on the retention of other key members of staff.

The statistics below make for grim reading, as staff retention is crucial to any forward thinking company.

• 38% Intentionally decreased their work output
• 25% Took their frustrations out on their clients
• 12% Left their jobs altogether

The hiring process doesn’t always come easy for management, especially if they are lacking in the people-skills department themselves. Managers may be good at running a business or a department in terms of work, but from time to time they can fail to pick up on certain attributes that a person displays during the recruitment process. By missing these characteristics, individuals can and often do, “slip through the net”.

And as we all know, everyone can look good on paper!

Let’s take a look at the 5 main prime antagonists that may rear their “ugly heads” in the workplace as uncovered by the business study.

1. The Slacker
2. The Bully
3. The Gossip
4. The Lone Wolf
5. The Know it All

As you will see from the list, Human Resource Departments can do without the burden of this particular type of employee – in any situation.

So what can be done to highlight and more so bring to task this certain individual? What can management and in particular Human Resource Departments do, to end this negative cycle within the workplace?

ELF Productivity Limited’s CEEQUEL® software is the essential Time Management suite that you need.

ELF’s Time and Attendance system will allow you to uncover the real reason behind the downturn in productivity. Whether you need to supervise “The Slacker” on the shop floor or call time on “The Gossip” in the office, CEEQUEL® and our Shop Floor Data Capture and Human Resources modules will provide everything you require and necessitate for your workforce.

Shop Floor Data Capture

Shop Floor Data Capture does exactly what it says on the tin, it is employee tracking at its very best. A component of the CEEQUEL® Time and Attendance software suite, Shop Floor Data Capture not only calculates employees working hours, it also tracks activities and jobs over a specified time; thus highlighting that “shirker” and “gossip-monger” on the shop floor. Another benefit this module provides is the Incentive Scheme Calculation. This calculation is particularly popular within the manufacturing sector as it converts operator performance into performance related pay.

Human Resource Management

CEEQUEL® Human Resource Management solution is an all-encompassing, fully comprehensive HR module that will completely transform your personnel requirements. With views such as appraisals, discipline and grievance procedures, it provides the necessary instruments needed to deal with your day to day management workload. This module provides you with the software to not only supervise every individual employee but it will also highlight your hardworking employees; thus enabling you to reward and promote the right staff.

Another added benefit to CEEQUEL® Human Resource Management module is that it can co-exist on the same Time and Attendance database or as a standalone HR Management solution.

Does your company need a dynamic Time Management system that will not only stop a toxic culture from springing up in your workplace but allows your company to run more efficiently and smoothly?

Is it time for you to take a closer look at your workforce?

CEEQUEL® Time and Attendance software suite is all you need to monitor and keep track of your ENTIRE workforce.

If you would like to know more about the unrivalled 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.

How to Prevent Unauthorised Access to Your Building

You are right to be concerned about individuals entering your property unchecked, particularly if you deal with dangerous or valuable materials and equipment, or sensitive information. Nine times out of ten, things will tick over as they should without any trouble – but the possibility of your security being compromised is very real if you do not have an effective system in place to prevent the wrong individuals from entering. So what are the best ways to ensure that your premises are correctly protected from unauthorised access?

1. On-Site Security

One of the most obvious and well known ways of ensuring that only authorised individuals enter your building is to hire specialist personnel to man its access points. This can often prove effective, as having a visible presence on site can help to deter intruders. However, human error is always possible – plus, if a robbery or break-in were to occur, it isn’t always possible to completely ensure the safety of your security team, however well trained they may be.

2. CCTV

The use of closed-circuit television cameras can help a surprising amount in security terms, particularly if signs are displayed to inform users of the building and those passing it that they have been installed. Anyone planning to enter the building for illegal purposes will be made aware that they will be caught on camera, and this can often be enough to dissuade them. However, this method won’t stop individuals who are lost and may be wandering into a dangerous or private part of the building.

3. Alarms

Another popular method of on-site security is the use of burglar alarms – devices that are set when all authorised personnel are leaving a particular area. They can detect any movement suggesting that an intruder is present and sound a loud alarm to alert people in the surrounding area. They can also be set up to notify the building’s owners or the police.

4. Keypads with Codes or Swipe Cards

Many managers issue all authorised personnel with a code to use when entering restricted areas of a building. There are a few problems with this method, as if there is only one code used by a whole team of personnel, security may be compromised due to the possibility of this code becoming common knowledge to employees outside the team. The same applies to team members who are each issued their own code, with the added problem that they may need to be reminded of it every so often, and so a list of those codes will need to be kept to hand just in case. If this list is too accessible, it defies the point of the security measures put in place. Swipe cards are also a difficult option, as it is very possible for these to go missing or to end up in the wrong hands.

5. Fingerprint Biometric Systems

Another option is the use of a fingerprint scanner. The fingerprints of each individual to be granted access are scanned and recorded, and certain coordinates are plotted according to the structure of the print. The original print is then wiped from the system to ensure personal security and data protection. From this time onwards, when an authorised member of staff touches a fingerprint scanner, the points that were plotted on the system are matched up with certain segments of their print, and they are allowed access. This method is by far the most secure, as authorisation documentation cannot be forged or passed between individuals. Every fingerprint is unique, so only the original employee whose fingerprint was registered on the system can be admitted.

How Do I Obtain a Fingerprint Scanner?

Various biometric hardware and software is available to use by businesses and individuals for security purposes. These include the likes of retinal and fingerprint scanners. Oftentimes, this technology is available as a part of a wider time and attendance management system, so it’s worth shopping around for the best arrangement to meet your security needs.

If you’re interested in finding out a little more about the biometric security equipment available from ELF Productivity Limited, simply call the team today on 01257 256000 or email sales@elf.uk.com. There is a huge variety of options and add ons, so do take the time to discuss your requirements and needs with a specialist in order to find out the very best option for you. Their offices are open from 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday.

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.

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.

The Pitter-Patter Of Tiny “Royal” Feet

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

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.