Personnel time tracking is the tracking of the work hours of employees using machines, and in a topical sense is part of employee time management.
In earlier times, time-punch machines were used. Today, we use electronic time tracking devices (terminals) upon which employees trigger postings with a plastic card by means of a barcode, magnetic strip or, more recently, RFID chips. Transmission via barcode or magnetic strip is hardly used, while contactless identification media (proximity), such as Legic or Mifare identification, is more common.
Work hours are tracked by reporting upon arriving and leaving. In addition, these systems can generally be integrated into roster planning, duty planning or the application process for leave. Where necessary, access controls can also be implemented by means of personnel time tracking. Time tracking systems deliver the calculation basis for wage and salary calculations, in that additional payments for overtime, work on weekends and/or public holidays, night shifts or special shifts are calculated automatically by means of stored formulas.
In order to reproduce different wage agreements and work hour arrangements, the corresponding rules can be entered into the system.
Operational data collection and machinery data collection are related to personnel time tracking. Mobile time tracking systems, via mobile phones, are becoming increasingly important.
