Ever since Willard Bundy patented the first employee time tracker in 1888, workers have been punching the clock. Until recently, that phrase had a literal meaning, but the advent of the digital age has the potential to change that.

Even in today’s high-tech work environments, many businesses still rely on old school time clocks or even pen and paper self-reporting in order to track employees’ hours. The big question here is why?

In reality, a time clock app is a superior option. Not convinced? Here are just a handful of advantages.

1. No Human Error

One of the biggest issues with employee time tracking is human error. Calculating daily hours while factoring in breaks can be a pain, and it often leads to oversight that causes issues when it’s time to sort out payroll.

Switching to an app removes the guesswork and turns it into an exact science. This will save both you and your employees a headache.

2. Data Tracking

Time clock apps are wonderful because they save you a ton of work. Not the least of which is calculating hours at the end of a pay period. Doing your own payroll is a learning process, but this makes it significantly easier.

3. No Fraud

While you should hopefully be able to trust your employees, it’s tough to account for human behavior. Cheating on a timesheet is rare, but it definitely happens.

By moving over to a digital system, there’s no possibility of employees fudging their hours.

4. Saves Time and Work

For one thing, using an app places the onus squarely on the employees. But unlike a traditional system, they don’t have to waste any time standing in line or tallying up hours.

When you implement a system that cuts down on workload and time for your employees, it benefits everyone.

5. Location Tracking

Depending on the type of business you run, you might have employees that work in the field. Many time clock apps feature GPS integration so that you know your employees were where they should be for the expected amount of time.

6. Project Tracking

On top of tracking location, the best time clock apps will also let you see who is working on what. This is unbelievably convenient if you have employees who are working on specific, time-sensitive projects.

7. Removes Bias

Human bias is a real thing, and you’re not immune to it. Using an app ensures that you’re not subconsciously docking that one employee who gets on your nerves.

8. Boosts Morale

Speaking of bias, nothing can kill workplace morale quicker than employees who suspect a lack of fairness. Having an efficient, standardized system in place means that everyone can rest assured that each employee is being judged accurately by the same standard.

9. Saves Money

Errors cost money. Whether it’s correcting a payroll error or factoring in overtime you forgot to calculate, a time clock app reduces the instances of costly errors like that.

Invest in a Time Clock App

A time clock app is well worth your money. By keeping everything honest and accurate, you avoid all the pitfalls of more traditional timekeeping systems.

Now that you know about time clock apps, why not keep learning? There are so many helpful tips that will make managing your business easier. Keep reading for some awesome small business pointers.