Time is rapidly changing, bringing about significant transformations in various aspects of our lives. However, certain practices continue to persist, despite their inherent inefficiencies. One such example is the use of manual time cards and time sheets. Although these methods are outdated and present numerous challenges, many organizations still rely on them due to several reasons, including cost considerations and resistance to adopting modern technologies.

In this blog, we highlight the major challenges that come with using traditional paper-based methods like time cards and time sheets to record employees’ working time.

Here are some of the biggest challenges of manual time cards and time sheets:

1. Time-consuming: The traditional methods of using manual time cards and time sheets to track employees’ work hours are significantly slower. This is because employees are required to pause and fill them out each time they enter the office, take breaks for lunch or other intervals, and when they leave for the day. Furthermore, the administrative department also needs to manage and handle these time cards and time sheets, which further consumes their time.
   
2. Prone to errors: Traditional work time recording methods, such as manual time cards and time sheets, are inherently manual and, as a result, are susceptible to errors. These errors include incorrect entries, multiple corrections, and miscalculations of working hours due to inaccurate or other entry-related mistakes.
   
3. Less accurate:  Traditional work time recording methods are prone to errors, resulting in less accuracy when calculating the correct working hours of employees. These errors can arise from mistakes made by employees or workers when submitting their time entries, as well as calculation errors on the administrative side.
   
4. Make payroll processing tiring and tough: Due to the time-consuming nature, lower accuracy, and vulnerability to errors of manual time cards and time sheets, payroll processing becomes slow and laborious. The payroll department is required to invest additional time and effort in accurately calculating the working hours of each employee or worker. This meticulous process ensures that no one is overpaid or underpaid due to miscalculations. This is definitely not the best approach if you are looking to simplify the payroll process.
   
5. Limited accessibility: In today’s times, remote work has gained significant popularity. However, organizations that rely on manual time cards and time sheets face challenges in collecting working hours-related records from remote workers or employees who are working from home or other locations. The absence of access to physical time cards and time sheets makes it difficult for remote workers to submit their working-related time promptly.

Due to these challenges, traditional methods are unable to efficiently and effectively record working time. As a result, many organizations have already transitioned to modern technology for accurate and reliable recording of work-related data. This shift assists them in processing payroll with precision and efficiency.

Conclusion

The continued use of manual time cards and time sheets presents significant challenges in today’s rapidly changing landscape. These outdated methods are time-consuming, prone to errors, and result in less accurate tracking of employees’ working hours. Payroll processing becomes tiring and difficult, while limited accessibility hinders remote workers from submitting their time records promptly. To overcome these challenges, organizations are embracing modern technology for accurate and efficient recording of work-related data, enabling precise payroll processing and streamlined operations.