How to Avoid Time Theft in the Workplace

What is Time Theft?

Time theft occurs when an employee is paid by their employer for time they did not actually spend working, or for work that was never performed. This is considered theft since the worker is not doing enough actual work during their shift. This type of activity can impact a company’s productivity and morale.

5 Ways to Avoid Time Theft

1. Implement a Biometric Timekeeping System
   Eliminate “buddy punching” – when one employee clocks in or out for another. A biometric system ensures that the proper employees are reporting to work and their timecards cannot be forged.
2. Open Employee Lines of Communication
   When an employer is clear and open about expectations and company policies on what is prohibited while on the clock, the employees will know exactly where the boundaries lie.
3. Implement Internet Monitoring Software
   This will allow you to track any excessive non-work related browsing and how often it occurs. This is very common and simple for employers to do.
4. Hold Regular Staff Meetings
   Staff meetings allow employees to stay up-to-date and know their expectations. It’s a good way to address issues like time theft without accusing anyone directly.
5. Accountability at Work
   Since the employee needs to take the initiative to be held accountable for their time at work, you can assist by creating measurable goals, implementing an initiative program, and monitoring progress on goals and projects.

Need help with some of these? GTM’s automated timekeeping system reduces labor costs and eliminates manual timecard entry. Plus we offer a wide array of time clocks, including biometric devices.

Keep communication open with our Employee Self-Service Portal. Employees can update personal information including life events, manage tax withholdings and direct deposit accounts, and change their password. Employees can also review time-off balances and make time-off requests all from the same spot. Contact us to learn more.