Hours Worked

What does ‘hours worked’ mean?

'Hours worked' refers to the total time an employee spends on job-related tasks and receives compensation for it. This concept holds significance under India's labour laws, particularly the Factories Act, 1948, and the Shops and Establishment Acts, which govern employee compensation, overtime, and working hours.

Why Tracking Hours Worked Matters?

Knowing how many hours employees work is important for both staff and employers because it affects productivity, payroll, and overall efficiency at work. Keeping track of work hours accurately can also improve time management, project planning, and employee satisfaction.

How to Track Hours Worked?

There are various ways to track ‘hours worked’ by employees which include traditional methods like manual timesheets and modern methods like automated time-tracking software. Let’s understand each below.

• Manual Timesheets: Employees can log their hours on paper or digital timesheets. While this method is simple, it can lead to errors and requires extra administrative work to gather data.

• Time Tracking Software: Advanced attendance management software solutions like Mewurk automate hour tracking. Key features of these systems include:

• - Automated Calculations: Software automatically calculates total hours worked, including overtime.

• - Reporting: The system helps generate quick reports summarizing hours worked by projects, team members, or clients. This makes productivity analysis a lot easier.

• - Integration Capabilities: The software can integrate with other software (like project management tools) to improve your team’s workflows and reduce manual data entry.

• Mobile Apps: With more people working remotely these days, mobile-based time-tracking software apps have gained significant popularity lately. These apps help track hours on the go. Employees can log their time from anywhere, ensuring accurate capture of work hours.

What Challenges Come with Tracking Hours Worked?

• Inconsistent Logging: Employees might forget to log their hours or do so inconsistently, which can lead to incorrect data. Automated reminders can help address this.

• Overtime Management: Tracking overtime correctly is vital but can be tricky due to varying state laws and company policies. Modern time management software that can adhere to statutory requirements should help manage overtime calculations in such scenarios.

• Tracking hours worked is more than just following rules; it is essential for effective workforce management. By using technology and setting clear procedures, companies can ensure accurate timekeeping that benefits both employees and the organization.