What is a Time and Attendance System?

Let’s take a step back, what is a time and attendance system? In simple terms, a time and attendance system allows your employees to clock in and out and lets managers track their employees’ hours. This system can track start times, break times, and end times, and some systems even allow you to track productivity or time spent on specific tasks.

Time and attendance systems can be on-premise or remote. The traditional time and attendance system is an on-site time clock where employees manually punch in and out. This type of system is the modern version of the paper timecard where employees would write the start and end times of their shifts. Today, the punch clocks are electronic and connected to a system that aggregates all the timestamps to calculate an accurate number of hours worked for each employee.

But on-premise systems only work when all employees are working at the physical hotel. In today’s post-pandemic world, some hotel employees work remotely, but they still need to track hours. A remote time and attendance system lets employees clock in and out from anywhere, often through a mobile app. The system then compiles each employee’s timesheet for accurate payroll.

Key benefits of a time and attendance system

What can a high-tech time and attendance system offer you that a traditional paper punch card can’t? Hoteliers who implement modern systems can realize several powerful benefits:

• Less time spent on payroll: One of the most compelling advantages for managers is that time and attendance systems can do the heavy lifting for payroll. The system automatically aggregates each employee’s punch-in and punch-out times into clean timesheets, so you can put the calculator away and skip the Excel file. Perhaps handling payroll for a small staff isn’t too demanding, but if you manage a large or growing team, you’ll appreciate more time to spend on higher-impact tasks.

• More accurate payroll: Besides calculating hours worked for each employee, a time and attendance system can also handle any relevant taxes and benefits to ensure each paycheck is accurate. Not only will employees get paid the right amount, but you can also be confident that you’re in compliance with tax regulations and avoid potential lawsuits or fines for miscalculations.

• Happier employees: Accurate, on-time paychecks aren’t the only reason why employees will have higher satisfaction after implementing a time and attendance system. They’ll also appreciate a convenient, modern way to clock in and out. Plus, a time and attendance system can ensure all employees are treated equally. If someone takes a longer lunch break or shows up late, the system will reflect that, and managers can act accordingly.

The Top 5 Time and Attendance Systems for Hotels

Now that you know the benefits of time and attendance systems, you’re probably wondering which systems are best for hoteliers. Let’s dive into the features, specs, and reviews of the top 5 time and attendance systems for hotels. Our review of the top 5 will help you choose a system that aligns with your unique needs and goals.