Guide to Time and Attendance Key Terms

Punch in to find out what time and attendance terms you need to know

By Jennifer Ehlenfeldt

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Time and attendance entails everything from installing time clocks to processing payroll. The tasks involved vary from one organization to another, but the concept is always the same. Correct and efficient time and attendance keeping leads to efficient payroll processing.

Find out how options like employee lock-out can benefit your company, or why buddy punching should be closely monitored. Learning the basic key terms associated with time and attendance can keep your payroll and time keeping operations running smoothly.

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Payroll service bureau

A payroll service bureau is a business that handles all payroll tasks for other companies. These businesses cater to smaller sized companies that can't afford to take on all the tasks associated with payroll.

I recommend: Qqest defines a payroll service bureau and explains the benefits of outsourcing the time and attendance payroll process.

Payroll export

Payroll export refers to a time or attendance information system that can transfer all employee time information directly to a payroll tracking system. The export allows human resource managers to track how employee attendance, labor costs and work efficiency compare.

I recommend: E-timetracking.com explains how payroll export works as a part of a time and attendance information software system.

Employee lock out

An employee lock out is a basic restriction on employees trying to punch in at a time clock. Managers make restrictions so employees not scheduled cannot punch in or for any other reason management specifies.

I recommend: Read the definition of employee lock out at Mytimeforce.com. Find out how some time keeping devices allow for lock out options and what the benefits of the options are.

Benefits and accruals

Time and attendance is based solely on employee work, but time not spent at work also is considered under this heading. The terms benefits and accruals are defined as vacation, sick or any other type of leave provided to an employee.

I recommend: The International Time Recorder defines benefits and accruals in its glossary of terms.

Buddy punching

Buddy punching is an illegal way co-workers cheat the time system. When a worker punches in for another because the second is late or not there, this is called buddy punching. The illegal act can cost companies a lot of money in unearned payments.

I recommend: Sundial Time Systems explains buddy punching and how to prevent it.

Incentive pay

Managers use incentive pay as a reward system to get employees to work beyond what they are accustomed to working.

I recommend: The term "incentive pay" is defined at Human Resources Directory.