The 7 Best Employee Attendance Trackers for 2024

Looking for an employee attendance tracker for your construction business? We’ve reviewed 7 of the best apps on the market to help you!

FAQs
What is the best free employee attendance tracker?

There are two types of free employee attendance trackers in the market: the free trial version, which lets you try all the premium features within a limited time, and the free-forever options, like Clockify. 

All the employee attendance trackers reviewed in this article have free trial versions. This gives you enough time to test their features and decide if they’re the right fit for your business. 

The free-for-ever attendance trackers, like Clockify, offer unlimited use of their time trackers. However, the time clock is often too basic, and you will soon feel compelled to upgrade to one of the paid plans. 

Therefore, the best free employee attendance tracker depends on the business’s size and the level of automation it requires. Free-forever trackers often work great for one-person businesses that don’t require extra features beyond a simple time tracker. On the other hand, most growing businesses need more features like scheduling, invoicing, and payroll tools to keep the business running smoothly. 

What are some essential features of the best employee attendance trackers?

When looking for the best employee attendance tracker for your business, you can trim down the options by making sure the software has the following essential features:

  • Cross-device tracking: The attendance tracker must work seamlessly across all devices, giving the workers the flexibility to record their time entries wherever they go.
  • Real-time and accurate time tracking: Attendance trackers that can record employees’ time down to the last second go a long way toward promoting transparency in the workplace. Accurate time entries ensure error-free payroll, so the company only spends its money where it should.
  • Seamless automation: The attendance trackers must be able to automate attendance tracking, scheduling, and timesheet filling so users can say goodbye to manual data entry for good.
  • Biometrics authentication: On-site attendance tracking through kiosks often gives employees an opportunity to steal time through buddy punching. Using biometrics like fingerprint scanning and facial recognition adds a layer of security that prevents time theft from happening.
  • GPS tracking: The best attendance trackers can also accurately track location and even driving mileage, so you’ll know if the workers clocked in or out at the job site.
  • Built-in scheduling: Attendance compliance goes hand in hand with up-to-the-mark scheduling, so choose an attendance tracker with an efficient scheduling tool that allows you to distribute tasks evenly and edit the schedule anytime. 
  • Payroll integration: Attendance records should be easily transferred to a payroll management system to ensure employees are paid accurately and on time.
  • Detailed attendance reports: The best attendance trackers can quickly generate reports to help you make important decisions without wasting time hunting data.
Can I (and should I) try to use Excel or Google Sheets as an employee attendance tracker?

Yes, Excel or Google Sheets can be a decent alternative to dedicated employee attendance trackers because they’re free and easy to use. If you have a small team with a limited budget, this can help you track employee attendance without breaking the bank. 

However, the downside is that Excel or Google Sheets require manual data entry, which can be time-consuming. It also lacks the security and versatility that will allow field workers to record their time entries on the fly and in places with limited computer access. 

Hence, businesses must consider a dedicated employee attendance tracker that can grow with them and offers security, mobility, and automation features. 

What issues might prevent a construction company’s workers from adopting a new attendance tracker?

Introducing a new employee attendance tracker to the workplace may not be welcomed with open arms, especially in the least digitized industries like construction. 

It’s important to know the following reasons that might prevent them from adopting new technology and plan ways to overcome them accordingly.

  • Technology barriers: Learning new technology takes time, so choosing an attendance tracker with a user-friendly interface can help ensure non-tech-savvy workers can use the app immediately.
  • Resistance to change: Switching to an automated attendance tracking system from a paper-based timesheet method requires many adjustments. Communicate clearly the reasons behind the change and make sure everyone is on the same page regarding the benefits it can bring to the company in the long run.
  • Privacy concerns: Many attendance trackers have time and location tracking elements that may be perceived as too intrusive by construction company workers. Explain the measures the company takes to ensure data privacy and address all their concerns to improve employee compliance. 
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