Human Resources – Page 4 – Time and Attendance

Stress related absences can harm your business

Employee absence rates related to stress can be a real headache for organisations. Stress related absences often last longer than normal employee absences meaning a high number of tasks have to be passed on to other employees. Most stress related absences can often be avoided through the implementation of certain processes.

Employee absences can be a real drain for organisations. Not only do absences cost money but long term absence can have a lasting impact on employee workloads. The number of Employees taking time off work due to stress is becoming ever more prominent within all companies.

A survey carried out by CIPD shows the eighteen most common causes of stress at work. With Two-fifths of the organisations surveyed reporting an increase in stress-related absence over the past year. Workload was the highest common cause of stress within all sectors but affected public and private sector organisations the most. Employers within the manufacturing and production industry found that management style and issues at home were equally to blame for the high number of stress related absences. Non-profit organisations found that thirty seven percent of employees were stressed due to having in-work relationships. Poorly handled organisational changes had a higher effect on public sector organisations than all others.

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Some cases of employee absence, due to stress, could easily be avoided. Setting up procedures in the workplace to assist employees effectively manage their workload, could help massively reduce employee absence rates. Communicating organisational change (e.g. office moves, department shake ups) to employees at the earliest opportunity helps them to plan ahead, instead of last minute surprises which can often lead to stress. Allowing employees to work flexible hours when needed is one of the easiest ways to reduce absence rates and improve employee morale.

Office romances can often cause problems for organisations when it comes to absences. Relationships within the workplace that end badly often see the employees involved having to take time off work due to emotional stress or because they want to avoid their colleagues. Some organisations include a workplace romance policy into their company guidelines. The policy is often introduced to deter employee romances with work colleagues as businesses see them as a major disruption to the workplace.

Time and attendance for business and the available access control solutions

Organisations have been using time and attendance systems as a means to track employee clocking data for over 20 years. Old card based systems were slow and unreliable and as technology advanced new cutting edge real time systems took there place. Employees are no longer limited to how they can clock as most systems now come with a range of different options. The introduction of biometric and proximity technology now means that clocking can be completed in a number of seconds.

Access Control

Time and attendance within a business is not a new concept. Organisations have been using paper cards as a means of clocking employee working hours since the 20^thcentury. The problem with using a paper card system is that it’s extremely unreliable. Paper is easily lost and even if the card remained safe there was never any way of knowing if the times written on the sheet were accurate. This caused major problems for companies when it came to payroll, meaning employees were often over or under paid. An employee who has been under paid is less likely to work to their full potential meaning productivity levels in the work place often drop. Low productivity levels and overpaid staff can lead to organisations losing out on thousands a year.

As times changed and technology advanced so did the type of systems organisations use to track their employees time and attendance data. Electronic automated clocking systems now record accurate employee data in real time. As data no longer needs to be manually imputed human resources departments are able to focus on more pressing tasks.

The benefits of having a fully functioning time and attendance system

The main benefit for a company which uses a time and attendance system is that the data being collected always remains accurate. As all employee clock-ins are collected through an electronic system, the chances of fraudulent clocking is significantly reduced. Employee time-thefts are also reduced as clockings can be completed via an IP based clock device, over a browser and even through a mobile device. This allows employees to clock from any location whilst on the go. Notifications can be set up within the system to alert managers when staff clock late or leave early. These alerts inform an employer of attendance issues at the earliest stage.

Companies who implemented punch card systems often became victims of ‘buddy clocking’. Employees would often clock in for their “colleagues” when they were perhaps running late or had opted to take a longer break than allowed. Almost all time and attendance systems available today, come with technology which can make it impossible for an employee to clock as anyone but themselves.

Human resource departments are at the forefront of any business. It manages all employee data and ensures that all information they have remains correct and up to date. The underlying issues surrounding this is that manually checking and manipulating data can be time consuming and extremely costly. Data collation and maintenance rapidly drains the resource available in most HR departments, meaning that information is often neglected or mislaid. Any dynamic software solution should combine both Time & Attendance and HR System within one scalable database.

One database means the eradication of double keying information as data entered is immediately filtered throughout the system.

Most now come equipped with employee self-service (ESS) capabilities which provides employees with an easy-to-use web based interface allowing them to update their own personal data, without needing to contact their HR department. Employees with access to ESS can also view information relating to their shift patterns, holidays – requested, planned or taken, together with full information on their weekly clockings and pay premiums.

Employees are able to request holidays or absences using employee self-serve and any absence requests are forwarded to their line manager for approval. Once a request has been accepted it is automatically imputed into the employee’s calendar, removing any need for the employee to contact HR.

Implementing an automated time and attendance system can also help a business’s stay on the right side of any legislation. Manual systems make it difficult for companies to track things such as overtime and overall hours worked. Both have high legal requirements that if not obeyed can lead to an employee perusing corrective action via an employment tribunal.

The available Access control solutions

Over the years, the number of Time & Attendance systems available to businesses has significantly increased. Advancing technology is often utilised by the companies who manufacturing T&A systems creating a wider choice of cutting edge systems. Each system is designed with its own capabilities and can permit access to employees in a number of different ways.

Biometric systems

Biometric access control systems are becoming ever more popular. These technologies offer cutting edge opportunities – look impressive to visitors and because they rely on unique employee features time-theft is completely eradicated.

Fingerprint biometric Time & Attendance units are the most common systems implemented into companies as they now have a 99.9% accuracy rate. As Time & Attendance systems act as one big database, information collected on one terminal, is automatically passed through to all the other terminals within the business. This provides employees the ability to clock at any terminal within the building. Facial recognition software works in exactly the same way. Once enrolled, template information is distributed automatically throughout the company’s device estate.

Most Time & Attendance systems can be integrated with an access control unit. Businesses with an integrated access control and Time & Attendance system, are able to restrict access on a door-by-door basis, making sure that only authorised employees gain access to sensitive areas. Access can also be restricted by date and time allowing companies to lock down their business premises over festive periods, during bank holidays and after working hours.

Proximity technology

Proximity access control systems have always required an employee to swipe their access card in order to clock. The processes of swiping a card however can be time consuming. Employees in a busy environment often swipe their cards too quickly for a system to recognise who they are, forcing them to slow down and problems begin as ques start to form into the building especially at busy periods of the day.

As Proximity technology advanced – so did the systems and options available. The invention of contactless technology now means that access control cards and fobs are designed to permit access without the need to swipe. An employee simply needs to hold their card up to the device in order to gain access or register a clocking.

Intercom and integration with VOIP

Intercom systems have been the chosen solution for granting visitor access into buildings for a number of years. More often than not, they come with audio capabilities but as costs decrease, more are being installed with both audio and video capabilities.

As companies move towards a combined VIOP infrastructure, external intercom can now be fully integrated with your VIOP telephone system, providing full control of your external access points to any extension on your telephone system.

Barrier automation and turnstiles

Automated barriers or turnstiles now provide control to companies of who has access to your perimeter, company carpark, warehouses or any other company land.

Securing the first point of access to your organisation adds an extra level of security when protecting your business. Both barriers and turnstiles can be configured to only allow access to registered employees within your company’s Time & Attendance database. Access can be granted using biometric or proximity technology and time profiles can be set up in order to stop people from accessing the premises outside of working hours or on certain days.

There are a number of different types of barriers available including sliding gates, ground mounted bollards and rising arm barriers. Turnstiles are also available for both internal and external applications and are usually configured with anti-pass-back technology.

For more information on what a time and attendance system is, the benefits it could have on your business and the available access control systems, contact us today!

Short term absence and the impact it can have on a business

Short term and long term absences are often a real problem for organisations as they leave them short staffed and over worked. In the case of a long term absence employers often find themselves having to contract in agency staff in order to cope with the growing workload. Short term absence however is harder to deal with as contracting staff in for the odd day or two can be costly.

long or short term

Short term absences are very disruptive to an organisation, with many managers often having to scramble around looking for cover, which on occasion is not readily available. This can leave organisations short staffed and lacking expertise. Long term absences however have the opposite effect on businesses as they can be easier to manage. The tasks that would normally be completed by an absent employee will often be split up and passed onto other members of the team, or agency staff could be recruited to cover the absence period.

Most long term absences are covered under the Equality act 2010, so employers need to make sure they are complying with all legislations. Keeping a note of all employee absence records throughout their illness is crucial and this information needs to be kept secure at all times.

Elf Productivity’s Ceequel® software suite provides your Human Resource department with a secure way of easily recording every employee absence. Just by virtue of the fact that an employee has not clocked using Ceequel® Time and Attendance, the system will know the start day, end day, number of working days absent and the category of absence. In Ceequel® Human Resource Management software, notes can be made within the system and access can be given to managers of the sick employees. In addition, attachments such as fit notes or return to work documents can be scanned in and attached to an individual’s records, thus providing your Human Resource department with a complete overview of every employee’s medical history. Short term absences can also be monitored within the system allowing you to keep track of everyone within your workforce.

Individual absence reports can be set up to run on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis, allowing managers to spot any absence patterns creeping in at the earliest stage.

Many organisations are now also monitoring reports such as the Bradford factor, which is designed to penalise employees who have lots of absence occasions, as opposed to those with a genuine long term ailment. Using Ceequel ® Time and Attendance, this report can be calculated automatically over a rolling 12 month period and emailed to the appropriate line manager.

Having an easy to use system in place that allows you to not only track employee sickness but also record key information and can save your business time and money, for more information contact us today!

ELF Productivity Ceequel Portfolio

Here at Elf productivity we offer a range of services that intertwine together to form our Ceequel software suite. Each module can help you as a business deal with the different time consuming tasks your departments face on a daily basis. For example our easy to use time and attendance suite has revolutionised the way in which hundreds of organisations gather n track their employee attendance information.

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Centralise all your human resource and time management requirements with Ceequel

Here at Elf Productivity Ltd we offer a wide variety of products and services to our clients. Over 30 years of collective experience within the time and attendance market allows us to provide you with unparalleled industry knowledge and expertise. Why not check out this inforgraphic for more information about what is is we do.

Elf infographic

Protecting staff and intellectual property

Access control is now an essential tool to have when it comes to the protection of your employees, company property and information. Not having an access control system in place means your potentially putting the well being of your entire organisation at risk. Elf Productivity’s Access Control system allows you to restrict access on a door by door basis.

Access control within a business does much more than just locking a door. It’s now seen as a vital tool to protect your employees, their private property and the data, records and intellectual property of your business.

If your company doesn’t have an Access Control system in place – then not only are you potentially putting the well being of your employees at risk – your entire business is at risk.

Elf Productivity’s Ceequel Access Control System revolutionises the way which companies secure their sites. The flexibility of Ceequel® Access Control enables you to proactively manage access to areas of your organisation. The software functions across LAN, WAN or even through the cloud – allowing for a single, company-wide Access Control Solution.

Access control within your business isn’t just limited to doors. Elf’s Ceequel® Access Control can be used to provide secure, authorised access to car park barriers, gate, lifts, power shutters, roller doors and turnstiles – restricting access to all parts of your organisation.

Elf Productivity’s IP based access control system works by using your current Cat5/6 networking infrastructure, providing for greater manageability and reduced support costs.

Integrating your Access Control solution with Elf’s time and attendance / Human Resource modules, enables you to manage all your business processes in one easy to use platform. Having one centralised solution means that you can provide your employees with one simple solution for all locations and divisions of your company.

Your Access Control system can be used as your company’s fire register as each door, barrier or turnstile etc can be set up to identify if a person is in or out of the premises. All information is collected in real time meaning fire registers are kept constantly up to date.

Fire register assembly points can be configured within the system and upon the sounding of the fire alarm an accurate employee lists can be sent through to designated fire marshals by email or sent through to network printers.

Your restricted doors would also be set up to automatically release when the alarm sounds.

If you would like more information on how access control can revolutionise the way in which your company secures their sites then contact us today!

Could you Reduce your Company’s Absences?

Finding ways in which to save money is crucial for any business. Yet many organisations are unaware of just how much employee absences are costing them. A recent study completed by XpertHR looked at absence rates and costs within UK businesses and uncovered which regions had the highest and lowest rates.

High absence rates cost money, don’t believe me? Check out this infographic we have created around a recent survey done by XpertHR on absence rates within the UK and the impact they have on business costs. If you would like to know more about how you can reduce your company’s absence rates, whilst saving yourself time and money, Contact us today!

Abcence Infographic

Linking Human Resource Management with Ceequel Time and Attendance

Managing your businesses human resource department is often a timely job. This is due to the extensive number of things HR have to complete on a day by day basis as well as also making sure they abide by certain processes. Implementing an easy to use time and attendance system into your business can help simplify the way in HR processes are completed.

Managing your human resource department can often be a time-hungry job for many organisations. Often because many HR departments have a high number of tasks to be completed at one time and each task has to follow processes – often with legal implications.

Introducing an easy to use time and attendance system (incorporating HR) can help simplify the way in which some of these tasks are undertaken and provides one centralised solution that can be accessible to all departments within your business.

Our time and attendance system acts as one central database, and contains all data and records information to effectively and efficiently manage your employee’s. As Ceequel® (Elf’s Time and Attendance/ HR Software Suite) co exists on one core database, managing the life of an employee whilst employed by your company, becomes a much simplified responsibility. Information is shared real-time to all modules and having one single database removes the need for double keying and thee possibility of your business having duplicate data within the system.

Employee clocking times are automatically stored within the database and absence codes can be configured to help the system recognise the reasoning behind any missed clocking’s. This information is visible to all departments including HR and payroll – ensuring that wage information is correct at the time of processing.

Your line managers have the ability to view all planned absences including training days – for all their direct reports – providing them the ability to manage staffing levels and ensure that productivity of their department remains within business parameters.

With the use of shift patterns, rosters and rotations – your system can be configured to recognise working days and rest days – whilst accurately calculating absences. The system can then report on these absences to support your policies – such as Bradford Factor.

Exceptions can also be customised to suit your business rules and can cope with even the most complex of shift patterns. Our time and attendance system even provides you with the ability to report nightshift hours on the same day and allows you to setup true flexitime.

The Mail merge facility within the Human Resource module of Elf’s Ceequel® Software Suite – allows you to filter your employees by any data you hold within the system – this may include; true age, cost centre, length of service, holiday entitlement, or any other field stored. Once employees have been identified by the system a letter or document can be automatically merged with each employee’s details and then printed and/or stored against an individual’s record.

Letter templates including, offer letters, contracts of employments, pension auto-enrolment etc can also be stored for future use.

For more information about how we could help you simplify your HR department’s day to day business processes, contact us today!

Time & Attendance – making Calculations Easy

Keeping track of your employees time and attendance is an important part of any organisation. Recording this data helps to streamline your business processes and relieves the unneeded stress on both your payroll and HR department. With the use of a time and attendance system both of the above processes can be achieved in a simplistic way.

Time management is a crucial process in all organisations. Without it there’s a very good chance your business wouldn’t be where it is today. Time management systems monitor your employee’s time & attendance on a day-to-day basis. This data often includes calculated hours worked and should even provide breakdown information of jobs, operations or activities – productive and non-productive. The data reordered is accurate streamlining your payroll department’s processes by removing the manual calculations surrounding hours worked (incl. overtime), absences paid or even bonuses.

With the assistance of Elf Productivity’s – absence management module, Ceequel Time and Attendance can now do a lot more than just track the hour’s an employee works. Ceequel now monitors minutes, hours, half or full day absences by individual employees and picks up on whether the absence was authorised or unauthorised. Absences are also available to be viewed by department, cost centre and location. This makes it easier than ever to stay on top of what’s happening within your organisation at any-one-time.

Ceequel Time and Attendance also delivers advanced calculations; such as the ability to identify employees who have a long period of absence – as opposed to those who have sporadic periods of absence often over a long period of time. Elf Productivity’s Ceequel system provides this level of in-depth analysis through the use of configurable absence codes and will even cater for shift-rest-days.

Data such as hours or gross wages can easily be passed from Ceequel time & attendance through to your payroll department.

All data within Elf Productivity’s Ceequel Software Suite shares a single database, eradicating double keying of data. Data is real-time and all modules have access to the same data instantly.

Businesses truly looking for process improvements, transparency of information and enhanced people management should only look at a single solution that integrates Time & Attendance system with Human Resources.

A single combined system contains accurate information on each employee’s life with the business. This will include start dates, finish dates, duration of working day, hours worked. This means that if an employee doesn’t clock in to the system on a day they are due to work the correct absence code will be generated for all departments to see. In addition to this your human resource department has the ability to input more information such as reason for absence, attach a sick note or a return to work form.

Even-more-so a visionary company looking to drive their organisation and maximise efficiencies will further enhance their single (Time & Attendance and HR) system by introducing Employee Self Service.

Elf productivity’s hardware is industry standard and is also designed with the future in mind. Data capture communications are generally TCP/IP and are in true real-time. For remote clocking terminals communications can be established via mobile phone data sim cards or alternatively why not implement both Android and iPhone iClock applications. Not only can you clock using the apps but at the same time as capturing your clocking time – the system also captures the longitude and latitude of the device.

There are various technology types available to collect the data including, barcode, proximity fob, proximity card, fingerprint, hand or face biometric.

If you’re looking for one integrated system that will not only manage all of your business needs but also simplify your processes – contact us today!

Tracking Employee Time & Attendance will benefit your Business

Keeping track of your workforce’s time and attendance data no longer needs to be a daunting task for your organisation. Elf Productivity’s Ceequel software suite allows your business to record and manage all of your individual employee data in one place on an easy to use platform. Our time and attendance system is entirely browser based saving your business time and money.

Keeping track of individual employee working times, holiday allowances and rate of pay can be a daunting task for human resource and payroll departments. Elf’s time and attendance software relieves this stress by devolving the management of employee groups – to the relevant line manager. Line managers have access to a browser based system, allowing them to maintain and amend their employees holiday time and sick leave together with their teams, individual clocking’s. Having this information at your Managers’ fingertips creates a multitude of benefits – including (but not limited to) the following:-

1. Improve visibility:

As a business, should you require you’re employees to clock in and out of attendance and identify those who are working too many or too few hours. Elf’s Ceequel® Time & Attendance Software Suite provides your managers the ability to do just this in real-time, even breaking down this absence by employee’s who are late, manipulating your working guidelines or constantly breaching the EU Working week regulations. Thus ensuring that employees pay data is correct and that the company can correctly report and identify any breaches in policy.

Through Ceequel’s Employee Self Service – Employees can view the same data (lateness, clocking’s & premiums) via any device with internet connectivity and a browser* – removing unnecessary communications with Human Resources.

2. Eliminates the ability to fraud time:

Companies once measured their employee’s time and attendance using paper based capture mechanisms, (requiring the employee to write down their individual working time and attendance). This was often abused as it allowed people who were perhaps late, or who finished early, to submit incorrect information on their time-sheet. Elf’s Ceequel® T&A system records in real time, eliminating the opportunity for employees to amend this information.

3. Payroll simplified:

Payroll is now even easier than ever with Elf’s Ceequel® T&A solution. With all of your employee’s time and attendance data stored in one place, premiums calculated effortlessly and efficiently (with no manual intervention) – your payroll department can, process pay runs in a fraction of the time.

4. Reduces the number of disputes:

When it comes to enforcing your business policies, such as lateness, holiday entitlement and absences through sick – companies who do not have a fully integrated Time & Attendance and Human Resource Management Software – often have difficulties providing the supporting evidence to correctly manage their employees.

With the use of Elf Productivity’s Time & Attendance and Human Resource Management Software companies can have clearer visibility when employees need to be closely managed. Capturing this data at an early stage – saves UK businesses a substantial amount of money – invested in employee retention/replacement.

If you’re looking to improve productivity, simplify your processes, increase the knowledge of your organisation and ultimately save money – contact us today!