The origin of timekeeping systems goes back to the end of the 19th century, following the industrial revolution. As companies became larger and larger, it became necessary to develop a simple system to keep track of employees' actual working hours. Nowadays, the problem remains the same, but technologies have evolved, and the mechanical time clock has been replaced by electronic time clock systems that allow much more than the simple recording of working hours.
What is Badging?
Behind this strange term lies a very simple action, that of recording the time spent at work using an RFID badge. The badge, personalized for each employee, must be presented in front of a reader (the badge machine) which records the entry and exit of the personnel (taking of shifts, breaks, etc). This may seem trivial, but for large companies with hundreds or even thousands of employees, it is an indispensable system for personnel management and payroll.
How a badge system works
The clocking in and out system relies on two things, an electronic identifier (name, first name, position) and a reader to collect the data.
The identifier
Despite its name, badging is not only done with a badge. In fact, employees can be clocked in and out with a cell phone via a dedicated application or with a computer (virtual clocking in and out). These two alternative solutions are much less widespread than the classic badge, but they offer the advantage of being able to be used in the context of work at home or for mobile workers.
Did you know it?
Since 2012, the CNIL (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Liberté) has prohibited the use of biometric badges in France for recording working hours. This system is therefore only used for access control. This prohibition has greatly benefited time and attendance systems with RFID badges.
The reader
The reader is a box equipped with an RFID antenna that can read the information contained on the employees' badges. The data is automatically sent and processed through a time management software. This system is a boon for human resources managers who no longer have to manually collect employee hours every day.
The advantages of a badge system
The reason why time and attendance systems are so widespread is that they offer many advantages for both the employer and the employees.
First of all, the time clock has an administrative and legal function. Companies are obliged to provide precise proof of their employees' actual working hours. It is legally possible to do this manually, but it is almost impossible for large companies.
Secondly, from the employer's point of view, it allows for better control of delays and break times of employees, as well as the management of leaves and absences. Moreover, it greatly simplifies the work of HR, especially for payroll management, and greatly limits errors.
From the employee's point of view, the badge system makes it easy to consult hours worked on the terminal, as well as to provide reliable proof of working hours, particularly for overtime.
The time clock also fulfills a social function by providing a neutral, irrefutable and fair system between employees. Everyone is on the same page and this avoids tensions between employees on issues of lateness or break times.
It is important to note that the benefits of using a time and attendance system are proportional to the size of your company. The more employees you have, the more essential a time clock becomes. Conversely, for smaller companies, it may be more economical to stick with a manual time and attendance system.
Lastly, the badge reader also acts as an access control system. It ensures that only employees with a badge can access the areas reserved for staff. Moreover, it allows to identify who is present in the premises and when.
Useful equipment for your badge system
As we have seen, most time clock systems work with RFID badges. There are several solutions for your badge supply.
For small and medium-sized companies - SMEs - it is preferable to use a company specializing in badge production such as Elliaden which offers a personalized card printing service.
For large companies with a high volume of badges, it is worth investing in a stand-alone printing system. There are numerous models of plastic badge printers that can quickly and easily that can quickly and easily produce secure and personalized identification and access badges. This gives you much more flexibility in producing badges, whether for outside parties, new employees, or to replace lost badges.
To learn more about plastic badge printers, read this article
GUIDE TO PLASTIC CARD PRINTERS
Lost (or damaged) badges are the main problem with this system. A lost badge represents an additional cost but also a security breach. It is therefore important to make the staff aware of the importance of the badge. In addition, it is recommended to provide employees with accessories for badges such as neck lanyards or zipper reels to reduce the risk of loss, as well as badge holders to protect them from wear and tear.
You can find more information about badge accessories in these articles
BADGE NECKLACES : THE GUIDE TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE
THE DIFFERENT MODELS OF BADGE HOLDERS