Time and Attendance

And the winner is… ELF Productivity!

The accolades just keep on coming here at ELF Productivity. In October 2016, we were included in Acquisition International’s Top 50 Technology Companies; today, we are delighted to receive the ‘Best Time and Attendance Systems Specialists 2017’ award from Softech International Magazine (Softech INTL).

Available in over 50 countries, Softech INTL features the latest developments from leading companies in the software and technology sectors. Their ‘2017 International Software and Cloud Services Awards’ recognise the outstanding achievements of torch carrying organisations who exhibit: innovative thinking, dedication and exceptional work ethic; three criteria undoubtedly synonymous with ELF Productivity and our innovative Ceequel® software suite.

Developed in house by ELF Productivity and currently in operation at thousands of sites throughout the UK; Ceequel® is a dynamic, feature-rich modular workforce management solution comprising of: Time and Attendance, Access Control, Human Resources, Shop Floor Data Capture, E-Manager, Employee Self Service and Mobile Apps.

In addition to the unrivalled functionality delivered by our time and attendance software offering; ELF Productivity’s commitment to client satisfaction ensures that our customers receive cost effective, user-friendly solutions precisely matching their bespoke requirements. A full turn key installation service is provided along with initial system training for all users and on-going technical support; simply put, we are here for our customers every step of the way!

If you would like to learn more about Ceequel® Employee Management Software, please contact ELF Productivity for a free of charge consultation. To view our Softech INTL article, please click here.

More and more organisations are turning to workforce management software in a bid to eradicate inefficiencies, simplify processes, reduce costs and improve managerial decision making. With a vast array of options available, how do companies choose the ideal solution for their requirements?

A survey was recently conducted throughout Europe to determine the key criteria for organisations when selecting suitable workforce management software solutions. Respondents included HR, IT and Operations Managers from companies across the corporate landscape, employing over 1,000 people.

Despite the contrasting natures of the industry sectors within which the surveyed organisations operate, five frequently recurring core requirements were revealed. We will discuss each criterion in more detail before touching upon the unparalleled functionality of Ceequel® Employee Management Software, developed by ELF Productivity.

Dynamic Adaptability – 96% of respondents enforced that workforce management software must be suitably adaptable to bespoke requirements. The popular opinion was that a software offering should improve, repair or modify an organisation’s existing systems and infrastructure as opposed to replacing them.

HR & Payroll Transparency – Over 55% believed that workforce management software should deliver seamless integration with regard to HR and Payroll departmental processes.

Robust Employee Clocking Data Capture – 52% stressed the importance of real-time employee clocking information, readily accessible in a secure location for authorised personnel.

A Viable Cloud Solution – When quizzed on existing business problems which a new system would ideally rectify; almost half of respondents outlined a number of issues with regard to the cloud.

Mobile Applications – 45% required functional mobile applications to monitor and support remote working employees.

Deployable via the cloud or utilising a client’s existing infrastructure, Ceequel® is a feature-rich modular workforce management solution specifically designed to enhance the productivity and profitability of any organisation. All Ceequel® modules share one database, complementing each other seamlessly whilst eradicating the need for duplicate entries.

A closer look at our Time and Attendance Systems, Human Resource Management Software and Mobile Applications:

Ceequel® Time and Attendance contains all the necessary tools required by organisations to monitor employee attendance effectively from clock card to payroll. All employee attendance data is collected in real-time and processed to the highest degree of accuracy, including: basic and overtime hours worked, flexitime, annualised hours, Time off in Lieu (TOIL), holiday allowances according to length of service and any other customer specific calculations.

Ceequel® Human Resources is a true client server solution capable of streamlining an organisation’s HR departmental processes; delivering a complete overview of company personnel. Automated features are available for historically time consuming HR activities such as new starter inductions and return to work procedures. In addition, all organisational training and development activities can be managed effectively with our dynamic training, skills and resource matrix.

Ceequel® Apps are designed for iPhone, Android and Windows devices and available to download from Apple App Store, Google Play and Windows Store. The Ceequel® Clock application enables remote working employees to clock in or clock out at the touch of a button. The Ceequel® Serve application provides remote working personnel with a condensed version of Ceequel® Employee Self Service allowing them to: view their clocking history, submit absence requests and access or edit their personal information. In-App tracking is also available to calculate production by employee, allocate labour costs to activities and capture hours spent on projects.

If you would like to learn more about Ceequel® Employee Management Software, please contact ELF Productivity for a free of charge consultation.

‘Ah Monday, my favourite day of the week’, said by no one, ever!

As another weekend becomes a fond but distant memory, many employees will be returning to work with a case of the Monday blues. Even those who love their job are in need of a little Monday motivation from time to time.

Well here it is, that spark of inspiration you’ve been searching for, check out these five top tips to get your working week off to a flyer:

A Good Night’s Sleep on a Sunday – We all want to prolong the weekend as much as possible and let’s face it, once we go to bed on a Sunday night our weekend is over. However, studies have shown that every hour of lost sleep has a detrimental impact on a person’s concentration levels whilst increasing susceptibility to both distraction and procrastination. Next time you’re considering staying up late watching football highlights, films or the latest episode of your boxset; hit record, turn off your TV and go to bed. You will also have something to look forward to when you get home from work; sounds like a win-win situation to me!

Don’t Skip Breakfast – There’s a reason why they call it the most important meal of the day! In addition to providing a much-needed energy boost, a healthy breakfast can also have a positive impact on memory capacity and improve your mood. Furthermore, skipping breakfast can lead to a number of health issues with regard to a person’s weight, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Embrace That Positive Attitude – Think less ‘I Don’t Like Mondays’ by The Boomtown Rats and more ‘What a Wonderful World’ by Louis Armstrong! Every new week is a fresh start, a new chance to be more productive; embrace all that you can accomplish. Whenever you’re faced with a mountainous in-tray, unfinished reports due in a matter of hours or dozens of unread emails on a Monday morning; stay focused on the positives. Who feels better already?

Pace Yourself – ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’. There’s a long working week ahead, ease your way into it. Many productive employees utilise Monday morning to create a plan of action for the rest of the week, ensuring all urgent tasks are prioritised accordingly. On the other hand, you may wish to get off and running as soon as possible. If this is the case, start with a relatively simple activity. Most importantly, your first objective upon arrival at the office should be that morning cup of tea or coffee; ignore at your own risk!

Fresh Air – Escaping the office for a short fresh air break can do wonders for our productivity, particularly with regard to combating the dreaded afternoon slump. Alternatively, you may prefer to invest in some office greenery! A recent study revealed that the additional oxygen derived from office plants delivers sufficient energy to increase an employee’s productivity by 40%.

Hit the ground running every Monday with Ceequel® Employee Management Software!

Our award-winning time and attendance software suite is specifically designed to enhance the productivity and profitability of any organisation. For a free of charge consultation, please contact ELF Productivity.

According to research carried out by the CIPD, an increasing number of employees expect to continue working beyond the age of 65. Of the 16,565 working adults surveyed, over a third of respondents were of the opinion that they will work past the traditional retirement age. Interestingly, the figure rose to 49% among workers over the age of 55. Furthermore, when it comes to the new widely anticipated retirement age, 70 is the new 65!

When quizzed as to why employees would want to remain in the workplace; staying mentally fit and earning sufficient income to enjoy life, including going on holidays, were the two most common responses. However, despite the 2011 eradication of the default retirement age and the recently launched government strategies to ‘retain, re-train and recruit older workers’; the CIPD study revealed a number of issues with regard to the general awareness of pension regulations and employers’ capacity to support maturing employees.

Pertaining to the awareness of pension regulation; over a quarter of respondents aged 55 or over were unaware that the state pension age will increase to 66 by 2020. Almost half of workers aged between 35 and 54 were similarly oblivious to the planned further age increase to 67 by 2028. In addition, 36% of the employees researched were unaware that they had to pay National Insurance contributions for 10 years in order to obtain a minimum state pension. Likewise, 32% did not know that 35 years’ contribution was required for a full state pension.

Rather damningly, only a quarter of respondents felt that their current employers were adequately equipped to support employees over the age of 65. The CIPD was keen to emphasise the importance of breaking down ‘organisational barriers’ preventing mature employees from thriving in the workplace. The CIPD elaborated on this point, stating that employers must re-evaluate their people management processes and working patterns to cater for older workers. Numerous benefits of a multi-generational workforce were also outlined, including the positive impact that highly experienced employees can have on their younger colleagues from a mentoring perspective.

Is your organisation equipped to support a broad and diverse workforce?

Developed by ELF Productivity, Ceequel® Software Suite will streamline your workforce management processes significantly. Our intelligent time and attendance systems deliver unparalleled flexibility with regard to configuring multiple complex shift patterns and simplifying employee clocking to payroll processes. In addition, employee skills matching and job movement features are available through our innovative human resource management software; ensuring that your staff are assigned to the tasks which best suit their abilities, qualifications and experience.

For more information, please contact ELF Productivity.

Here we are again, the end of another working week; how was it for you, productive?

As the weekend approaches, have you accomplished everything that you set out to do?

If the answer is no, the devil as they say, might well be in the detail!

A recent survey investigating the opinions of UK-based office workers, revealed that some employees spend a staggering 62% of their time at work planning their activities. Although I am a big believer that a little prior preparation is certainly effective in preventing poor performance; surely more time should be spent doing rather than planning. With that in mind, here are six super ways to work smarter and simplify how you manage your time:

Measure Your Productivity – By monitoring your progress as you work, you will develop an understanding of how long it takes to complete certain tasks. In addition, the specific times of the day or week when your peak productivity periods occur, will also be revealed. Employee activity tracking software could potentially prove invaluable when monitoring employees as they move from one activity to another.

Maximise Peak Productivity Periods – Once your optimum productivity periods have been identified, it’s time to schedule your most important tasks (MIT’s) around those peak cycles. Many people feel more energised in the morning and will try to complete their MIT’s before the dreaded mid-afternoon slump.

Stick to Daily Goals / MIT’s – At the end of your working day, make a note of around three MIT’s which must be completed the following day. This enables you to hit the ground running the next morning with a clear focus. More often than not, a spanner will be thrown into the works that will disrupt your rhythm. When this happens, many people go back to their to-do list and spend the next half an hour or so re-arranging their activities. Simply, remain focused on which tasks are most important or urgent, prioritise them accordingly and take it one step at a time.

Delegate – When faced with numerous unfinished tasks with deadlines fast approaching; never be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes, delegating certain activities to colleagues may be the only way to ensure that deadlines are satisfied. Ever heard the saying ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’?

Avoid Overload – We’re all guilty of over-estimating our own capabilities from time to time. We’re only human at the end of the day and overloading ourselves can lead to tiredness and stress. When working on long projects, break them up by setting mini-milestones; once a milestone is reached, have a short break before moving on to the next one.

Just Get on With It – Stop wasting all that energy worrying about your workload and trying to meticulously plan every second of your day. All you can do is get on with it and try your best!

As one of Europe’s fasting growing time management companies; helping our clients get the most out of their time at work is what we’re all about at ELF Productivity. Our award-winning Time and Attendance and Human Resource Management Software solutions have revolutionised traditional Payroll and HR administrative processes. If you would like to learn more about Ceequel® Employee Management Software, please contact ELF Productivity.

This may be a somewhat unorthodox way to open a blog post but here goes:

Until I am measured, I am not known, yet how much you miss me when I have flown; what am I?

Here’s a clue, the answer is also the true benefit of Ceequel® Employee Management Software, one of the most dynamic time and attendance solutions in the world today. Any ideas?

Now consider the workforce management solutions currently utilised by your organisation. How long does it take to complete those daily HR or Payroll departmental administrative tasks? Despite the functionality of your existing systems and infrastructure, does it often feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day?

Back to the riddle above, have you solved it? The answer is time. Developed by ELF Productivity, one of Europe’s fastest growing time management companies; Ceequel® Employee Management Software will make time your greatest resource.

Time and Attendance Software – Streamlined Clocking to Payroll Processes and Absence Management Solutions

Ceequel® Time and Attendance will significantly modernise your organisational clocking to payroll processes. Employee attendance data is collected and processed rapidly to the highest degree of accuracy, taking into account any basic, overtime or flexitime calculations. Dynamic absence management solutions are also available to quell employee absenteeism before significant costs occur. Features such as Bradford Factor Reporting swiftly identify persistent short-term absences taken by employees, providing managers with the necessary evidence to take further action.

Access Control – Eradicate Duplicate Swipes

Access to specific areas of your premises can be restricted at the touch of a button while access control tables for each secure location can be created with minimum administrative effort. In addition, thanks to the dynamic integration of Ceequel® modules, the benefits of our access control software go way beyond site security. The data collected through Ceequel® Access Control can also be utilised for employee attendance monitoring, fire registration and employee activity tracking; negating the need for duplicate entries.

Human Resource Management Software – Everything Under One Roof

Ceequel® Human Resource Management Software will revolutionise your HR departmental processes. Not only can organisations store all their personnel information in one, user-friendly central database; time spent on those historically time consuming HR administrative tasks will be reduced exponentially. Automated solutions are available for activities such as new starter inductions, return to work procedures and training event scheduling. Incredibly powerful HR report generation features are also included. But most importantly, as Ceequel® Human Resources shares the same back-end database as all Ceequel® modules, time spent double keying data is eradicated.

Shop Floor Data Capture – Real-Time Analysis

Ceequel® Shop Floor Data Capture software offers a real-time, granular insight into a manufacturer’s shop floor productivity. Our software provides the most dynamic tool for continuous improvement, enabling organisations to swiftly identify any man or machine inefficiencies and potential bottlenecks.

Employee Self Service and E-Manager – No More Lengthy Paper Trails

Our Employee Self Service and E-Manager modules are web based, zero IT footprint solutions delivering genuine transparency to employees and managers. Absence requests of any type can be submitted by employees and approved or rejected by managers promptly. Additional information readily accessible through a range of configurable screens includes: employee clocking information, shift rosters and employee hours spent on particular activities or projects.

To learn more about Ceequel® Employee Management Software, please contact ELF Productivity for a free of charge consultation.

The Black Eyed Peas once asked “Where is the love?”

Thanks to a recent survey carried out by leading UK independent job board CV Library, all is revealed!

The opinions of over 1000 UK-based employees were investigated with a quarter of respondents confessing to previous office romances at one time or another. Look away now HR departments, 53% believed that workplace relationships are a good idea. However, almost 80% conceded that relationships between co-workers often lead to problems and an awkward environment, particularly when colleagues have lost that loving feeling.

And now, the wait is over; it’s time to reveal the top five cities and industry sectors where employees simply, can’t help falling in love…

Employees in Glasgow are the most likely to enter into workplace relationships with Newcastle, Manchester, Cardiff and Birmingham making up the rest of the top five respectively. With regard to sectors, love is all around for workers in the Recruitment industry. Property came in second, Marketing third, IT fourth and Hospitality fifth.

Regardless of your industry sector, Ceequel® Employee Management Software is the perfect match for your organisation. Embark on a journey of continuous improvement with our award-winning Time and Attendance, Access Control, Human Resource Management and Shop Floor Data Capture modular solutions. For more information, please contact ELF Productivity.

Autocratic, Paternalistic and Laissez-Faire are three traditional management styles. Before we look at each in more detail, ask yourself…

Is there a definitive management style for the contemporary workplace?

Based on your own experiences, what are the key characteristics that make someone a good manager?

Autocratic managers operate a no nonsense, ‘my way or the highway!’ policy. Decision making processes are short with very little or no staff input. Paternalistic managers believe in a more democratic approach; they ultimately have the final say but employee engagement and collaboration is encouraged. The Laissez-Faire perspective is a ‘hands off’ philosophy which sees managers leave their staff to get on with their work with virtually no supervision.

Unfortunately for managers, when it comes to getting the best out of your staff, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. Some employees require clear direction, others prefer to be left to their own devices or wish to be included in strategic decision making. Whether you’re a strict disciplinarian or the kind of manager who brings the old guitar to staff training days; here are seven common characteristics usually found in a successful manager:

Leader by Example – First and foremost, managers are role models. If you work hard and constantly promote a professional and positive attitude towards work, others are likely to follow suit.

Team Builder – Creating a ‘team’ culture is crucial. Proficient managers play to their team’s strengths and facilitate positive working relationships. Activities such as social events or regular meetings can be effective motivators.

Clear Performance Expectations – Communication is king! Your staff must be aware of what you expect from them. Set realistic targets and devise clear systems and processes that will enable your department to meet the desired criteria.

Provider of Regular Feedback – Constant feedback helps to ensure that everyone is pulling in the right direction. It doesn’t have to be chapter and verse, simply reinforce good working practices and nip any detrimental issues in the bud.

Keen to Develop Employees – Implementing training and development initiatives that enable your staff to be even better at their job is beneficial to everyone……isn’t it?

Reward Good Performance – A thank you or a good old fashioned pat on the back costs nothing!

Commitment to Self-Improvement – Nobody’s perfect at the end of the day and mistakes do happen. Management is a skill that requires constant development. There’s an old saying, ‘it’s better to be a lucky manager than a good one’. Trust me, the harder you work, the luckier you’ll get!

Ceequel® E-Manager delivers a comprehensive, web-based workforce management solution, accessible from PC’s, laptops, smartphones and tablet devices. Thanks to the dynamic integration of our E-Manager, Time and Attendance and Human Resource Management software modules; daily managerial administrative tasks can be completed promptly online. To learn more about Ceequel® E-Manager, please contact ELF Productivity.

The recent Industrial Trends survey carried out by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) revealed an air of optimism within the UK manufacturing sector. Domestic orders rose in the three months to January at the highest rate since July 2014 and the weak, post-Brexit pound continues to drive competitiveness in both EU and Non-EU markets. The government has even unveiled a new ‘Industrial Strategy’ to support key UK industries.

Furthermore, a rounded figure of +15% represents the highest optimism for the general business climate since January 2015. However, while some respondents outlined plans for capacity expansion, training, product development and process innovation; the majority of the 461 manufacturing companies researched, shared concerns over growing cost pressures and a shortage of skilled labour.

Not only did manufacturing costs increase at the fastest pace for over five years; the general consensus of opinion among industry experts is that these cost pressures are likely to intensify over the next year or so. Meanwhile, the aforementioned skilled labour deficit is predicted to have a detrimental impact on manufacturing output.

As pressures mount to remain both efficient and profitable, many UK manufacturing organisations are turning to shop floor data capture and employee tracking software as they strive for continuous improvement.

Ceequel® Shop Floor Data Capture is an industry-leading workforce management solution for manufacturers. Dynamic cost calculation features convert labour activity and machine time into monetary value, ensuring all activity-based costing and employee performance related pay processes are executed to the highest degree of accuracy. Ceequel® Shop Floor Data Capture also provides unparalleled, real-time shop floor productivity analysis including: insights into man and machine efficiency, identification of bottlenecks and comprehensive Work in Progress (WIP) reports.

For a free of charge consultation, please contact ELF Productivity.

As it’s still January, the time of resolutions that will stand us in good stead for the rest of the year; we’re going to explore a number of ways to stay happy, healthy, motivated and performing to the best of our ability at work.

It all starts with a good night’s sleep. When we’re tired, our performance takes a real hit. Not only are we low on energy and unable to focus, we become more irritable and less able to deal with stressful situations. There is also a strong correlation between sleep deprivation and the onset of high blood pressure, depression and heart disease. To combat the detrimental effects of employee sleep deprivation, many organisations are introducing sleep-friendly areas for short productivity naps. Could anyone else do with forty winks right about now?

This one may take some getting used to, especially if you’re like me, somewhat zombie-like before that first morning cup of coffee! Studies suggest that exercising for around twenty to thirty minutes in the morning improves concentration, memory capacity and the ability to think outside the box. Morning exercise is also a potent stress reliever and effective in overcoming mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. We’ve all heard the saying healthy body, healthy mind!

Breaks help to recharge the energy batteries and avoid symptoms commonly derived from sitting at a desk, looking at a computer such as general aches and pains or eye strain. Although lunch breaks provide the opportunity for a time-out and a change of scenery; it is advised that shorter breaks should also be scheduled throughout the day. A common opinion is that people ought to take a break every forty minutes or so but this is unlikely to make you very popular with your employers. Start by stepping away from your desk for a couple of minutes at certain points of the day to avoid work overload.

How we use our free time can also have a considerable impact on our workplace morale and productivity. While we all like to relax and unwind when we’re away from the office; it is important to plan activities that will give you something to look forward to. Whether it’s a summer holiday, mini-break or just a game of tennis after work; make sure that light at the end of the tunnel is bright!

Developed by ELF Productivity, Ceequel® Software Suite is a true workforce management solution. Our intelligent time and attendance systems deliver streamlined clocking to payroll processes and comprehensive labour planning platforms. All shift patterns, overtime, flexitime, holiday allocations and breaks can be configured swiftly, to the highest degree of accuracy. For a free-of-charge consultation, please contact ELF Productivity.