Time clock

The time clock is the classic method of measuring working time. It can be used to record the start and end of working hours. Long before industrialization, employers began to monitor their employees' working hours. Initially with handwritten lists on which the employee's name was noted at the entrance. Later, this manual method was replaced by workers' control devices before the clocking-in machine made its breakthrough in 1894. Since then, the time clock has been a metaphor for recording working hours. The way the time clock worked was groundbreaking at the time. All the employee had to do was insert their time card into the slot provided in the time clock so that it could stamp the date and time on the card. In the 1950s, the electronic time clock was introduced, which is still used in some companies today for time recording. This made it possible not only to display the start and end of work, but also to record exact working hours, calculate overtime, display attendance and absences and create pay slips based on the data.

At the time, time recording was seen as a form of control that made employees feel monitored, but it nevertheless helped to improve working conditions. Companies were able to check their employees' working hours, resulting in fewer delays, absences or even cases of wage fraud. At the same time, the time clock as an equivalent to time recording protects employees from exploitation. Today, time recording serves both sides, and employees have the opportunity to gain more transparency and self-determination.

Modern time recording: time clock as an app

Today, modern time recording runs via an app. Many companies today mostly rely on computers or smartphones as mobile time recording devices. The time clock app makes it possible to log in with just one click. This method has proven particularly useful for companies whose employees mainly work remotely or from home. Especially as a time recording app can be accessed from anywhere. Web-based time recording, such as that from Krutec, also makes it possible to clock in and out from a web browser without software. Our digital time recording option also offers other useful functions for everyday working life. You can find out more about this topic under "Time recording".