Why do you need a remote attendance app – the full guide
The report delivered by Owl Labs shows clearly that the remote revolution has changed the world for better or worse. The report states that 69% of employees were working or are working remotely due to the pandemic. Moreover, 48% of those who worked remotely during the pandemic say that if they were unable to do so after the COVID-19 days are over, they would start looking for another job.
A total of 71% of surveyed employees expect the hybrid style to remain after the pandemic is over.
This comes with multiple challenges for the employers, especially those who didn’t implement a cloud-based attendance system to support their operations regardless of the physical placement of the team. Furthermore, remote work is a stress test for attendance tracking systems and policies.
In this article, you will learn why remote employee time tracking is crucial for managing distributed teams effectively. You’ll find out how time-tracking apps automate attendance, improve productivity, and support HR in ensuring compliance. Discover how to choose the right tracking software for remote employees to simplify operations and keep your team organized.
Why do you need to manage remote work and vacation?
Despite the overall benefits of remote work and the employees’ preference toward this way of working, there are severe consequences of ill-managed remote work and, especially, the assumption that the remote employees need fewer days off. According to studies, remote work may influence both physical and psychological health, leading to musculoskeletal strain, eye fatigue, stress, and reduced well-being among employees if not managed properly [Source: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, Jun 2023, “A Systematic Review of the Impact of Remote Working”].
Burnout
According to the World Health Organization definition, burnout is a syndrome resulting from workplace stress that was not managed properly. One of the main symptoms is feelings of negativity and cynicism toward one’s job, mental distance from the job, and exhaustion.
According to a FlexJobs survey, up to 43% of employed workers say their stress level is currently high or very high. Providing employees with a flexible leave schedule and the ability to detach from work occasionally enables them to mitigate burnout.
Work-life balance
Time off is also the way to provide the employees with a greater work-life balance. According to Zippia, up to 57% of employees consider poor work-life balance a dealbreaker when they are considering a new job.
Moreover, 48% of employees call themselves workaholics – a condition especially harmful when working from home (or sometimes living at work).
Productivity
Finally, insisting on regular leaves and encouraging the employees to take a vacation boosts their well-being and productivity. According to the Harvard Business Review, 94% of vacations have a good ROI in terms of energy and outlook upon returning to work.
But vacations and paid time off are not the only types of leave the company needs to manage when it comes to the on-site and remote employees alike.
Types of leaves the remote attendance software needs to support
There are multiple types of leaves the time attendance and leave management software has to process daily to keep up with the reality.
Medical
No matter if the employee works from home or in the office, if one has the flu or has broken his or her leg, there is a medical leave required. Thus, the software has to process this request according to the local legal environment as well as stick to the company’s policy.
Paid time off
Paid time off is non-mandatory in the US, with multiple legal approaches depending on the state. On the other hand, the EU-based employees enjoy a high level of social security and are entitled to paid time off.
Parental leave
While maternity leave is one of the most popular types of parental leave, it is increasingly popular for fathers to take paternity leave. It enables fathers to spend time with their families as well as support their children in the earliest stages of their growth.
Unpaid time off
Finally, the employee has a right to skip some days, agreeing not to be paid for them. These are taken when one needs to take the time off yet is left with no paid time off.
Why do you need a remote attendance system?
The time attendance and leave management software makes multiple companies's obligations easier, especially in the dynamic and unpredictable environment of hybrid workplaces. The work-from-home attendance management comes with several challenges one does not experience when dealing only with a local, office-based workforce.
Compliance with local labor laws
As mentioned above, there are numerous legal environments in which remote work can be. If the company is operating in a particular market, it needs to provide the employees with the protection of sticking to the local policies and not violate the employee’s rights.
International holidays
While the compliance is pretty straightforward, the need to respect the local holidays is trickier, with multiple independence days or days of significance. It is natural for one to expect the day off at a particular time, assuming there are multiple traditions and local customs the company may not be aware of yet needs to respect.
Multiple types of contractors
Moreover, there are usually multiple leave policies regarding the type of contractor. It is uncommon to provide the freelance contractor with paid or sick leave. On the other hand, failing to do so with the employee is a violation of one’s rights.
Depending on the legal environment, there may be multiple types of working contracts with varying levels of employee protection, multiple rights, and employer obligations.
Automation and process support
On the bright side, the company enjoys great benefits from using the time attendance and leave management software. First and foremost, building the timesheet for remote workers becomes automated and requires far less effort than it used to.
The time and attendance software to track work from home enables the distributed employees to easily send their leave requests. They can inform about the sick leaves swiftly, with little to no interruptions due to the poor communication tools. According to studies, a well-designed remote work environment – supported by proper digital tools, time-tracking systems, and clear communication channels – directly enhances job performance and employee satisfaction, even if overall productivity metrics remain stable [Source: fbj.springeropen.com, Jan 2024, “The Remote Revolution: Assessing the Impact of Working from Home”].
Want to simplify HR processes and automate tracking? Use our attendance app! It will help you save time, reduce manual work, and manage your remote workforce with ease. Try it now and get started for free!
Clarity, consistency, order
The time and attendance for work-from-home jobs can get messy with time, with employees using multiple methods to request leaves or report their absences. If there is a single system used by the whole company, there is order and consistency kept, making the work of the payroll department much easier.
Cost-effectiveness
Finally, if the company is tracking remote employees with a mobile attendance system, the entire absence management is much cheaper and more cost-effective. This includes the HR and payroll department’s time liberated to do other, usually more profitable things for the company.
For example, it can be engaging in employer branding, looking for new employees, or ensuring the well-being of already employed ones.
Summary
The work-from-home time and attendance management can be a great challenge for companies unused to working in a hybrid model. Yet using proper tools to deal with the challenge can reduce hassle and turn all the downsides into advantages.
Stay ahead of the latest HR trends and smart work solutions – join our free HR Newsletter. And if you wish to talk more about the ways the company can benefit from using a system like Calamari, don’t hesitate to contact us now!
FAQ – Remote employee time tracking software – the full guide
1. Why is remote employee time tracking essential for modern companies?
Remote employee time tracking helps businesses accurately track time worked and maintain accountability across distributed teams. This software for remote teams ensures transparent attendance and improves overall employee productivity.
2. How does a time-tracking app simplify managing remote work?
A time-tracking app enables remote employees to track time and log hours automatically, reducing manual effort. Such software helps teams optimize time management and streamline communication while working from home.
3. What are the benefits of using employee monitoring software?
Employee monitoring software allows managers to track employee time and identify idle or wasted work hours. It enhances employee performance and helps detect time theft across a remote workforce.
4. How can a time tracker improve team productivity?
A digital time tracker helps remote workers see how time is spent on tasks and projects. This kind of productivity tracking supports smarter time management and motivates team members to stay efficient.
5. What makes a remote employee monitoring tool effective?
An effective remote employee monitoring tool combines automated time tracking, app usage analysis, and detailed reports. It helps companies monitor remote employees and improve team productivity in flexible remote work environments.
6. How does time-tracking software support HR and payroll?
Modern time-tracking software integrates with HR management systems to automate payroll and leave management. It reduces errors and ensures accurate employee time tracking across different time zones and remote team members.
7. Can mobile apps help track employees working outside the office?
Yes, a mobile app with GPS tracking enables companies to monitor remote employees who travel or work in the field. This kind of tracking solution supports real-time attendance tracking and task verification anywhere.
8. What’s the best time-tracking software for remote teams?
The best time-tracking software offers automated time tracking, detailed reports, and easy integration with other management software. It should allow employees to log work hours, manage breaks, and start a free trial to test the platform.
9. How can companies use time tracking tools to improve productivity?
By implementing time tracking tools, managers can analyze employee activity and identify areas for better time management. These insights help keep teams efficient, especially in remote work setups.
10. What features should a remote employee monitoring software include?
Top remote employee monitoring software should include activity tracking, time spent on tasks, and employee productivity tracking. These tracking platforms provide visibility across remote teams, reducing bottlenecks and ensuring accurate work time data.
