Control Buddy Punching
Virtual TimeClock's prevents time theft with features that ensure accurate attendance records.
Control Time Theft
The cumulative impact of time theft through buddy punching can significantly affect a company’s bottom line. Virtual TimeClock combats this issue by offering secure login options, requiring a password or PIN for clocking in and out, eliminating casual buddy punching between employees.
For businesses needing an extra layer of security, an employee’s Social Security Number can be used as a password. Its length makes it difficult to memorize, and the risk of identity theft discourages employees from sharing or writing it down. With these safeguards, Virtual TimeClock helps ensure accurate time tracking and payroll integrity.
Using RFID or Barcode Readers
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has become a popular tool for efficiently identifying and managing various company services. Virtual TimeClock can integrate with RFID and barcode readers, allowing employees to clock in and out using an ID card instead of a password.
While this adds convenience and an extra layer of security, it also introduces challenges. Lost or forgotten ID cards can disrupt workflow, and employees can still engage in buddy punching by sharing their cards.
Biometric Time Clock Alternatives
With the widespread use of Apple’s Touch ID and Face ID, many companies are exploring biometrics to prevent buddy punching. While biometric time clock solutions exist, low-cost options are often unreliable, and high-quality proprietary systems remain cost-prohibitive.
Beyond cost, several real-world challenges make biometric time clocks impractical for most small businesses. Regular cleaning and maintenance of biometric hardware can diminish the convenience they promise. More critically, a simple online search can reveal easy ways for employees to bypass fingerprint-based biometric readers, undermining their effectiveness.
