In today’s fast paced business world, effective time tracking is essential for the success of any organization. For businesses in the UK, using digital timesheet software has become a popular way to streamline the time tracking process. This software not only helps businesses accurately track employee hours but also ensures compliance with UK labor laws, improves project management, and enhances overall productivity. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the importance of time tracking, the key features to look for in timesheet software, and a detailed overview of the best timesheet software available in the UK.
Digital timesheet software is a tool that helps businesses keep track of employee work hours and attendance in an easy and automated way. Unlike using paper or manually tracking time, this software allows employees to log their hours digitally through computers, web browsers, or mobile devices.
Tracking time accurately makes sure employees get paid for the hours they work. If there are mistakes in recording time, it can lead to paying too much or too little, which can upset employees and cause legal problems.
For businesses working on multiple projects, knowing how much time is spent on each project helps in planning and using resources wisely. This helps stay within budget and meet deadlines.
UK labor laws set rules about working hours, breaks, and holiday pay. Using digital timesheet software helps businesses follow these rules, reducing the chances of fines or legal issues.
When employees know their time is being tracked, they are more likely to take responsibility for their work. This can lead to better productivity as they learn to manage their time better.
With many employees working from home or different locations, digital timesheet software makes it easy for them to log their hours. This helps employers manage remote work more effectively.
When looking for digital timesheet software, consider these important features:
Real time tracking lets employees log their hours as they work. This helps keep records accurate and prevents mistakes that can happen with manual entry.
With mobile access, employees can log their hours from anywhere—at the office, at home, or on the go. This is important for businesses with remote teams.
Choosing software that works with payroll systems makes it easier to calculate pay based on logged hours automatically.
Project tracking features help managers see how much time is spent on specific projects or tasks. This helps manage resources better.
Automated reminders notify employees to submit their timesheets on time. This reduces the chances of late submissions and helps ensure accurate payroll.
Good reporting tools give insights into employee hours, project costs, and overall productivity. This information can help find areas that need improvement.
Some software includes features to help businesses follow UK labor laws, such as tracking maximum working hours and required breaks.
List of Top Timesheet Software
GetShifts is a UK-based workforce management platform designed specifically for businesses with complex scheduling needs, such as those in hospitality, healthcare, and retail. It offers advanced shift management and real time tracking features that make it a powerful choice for businesses that need flexibility in their workforce management.
GetShifts is ideal for businesses that need a tool to manage varying work schedules. Its mobile access allows workers to easily track time and shifts from anywhere, ensuring accurate timekeeping even for remote or on site staff.
GetShifts is great for businesses with many shifts, making scheduling and time tracking easy to ensure staff are always in the right place.
Clockify is a free time tracking tool that many small and medium businesses use. It has a simple design that makes it easy for employees to log their time.
Clockify is perfect for businesses on a budget that need an easy time tracking solution without losing important features.
BambooHR is a complete HR software platform that includes time tracking. It’s suitable for medium to large organizations looking for an all in one HR solution.
BambooHR is ideal for organizations that want to combine HR functions with time tracking, providing a complete way to manage employee data.
Zoho People is part of the larger Zoho suite and offers employee management features that include time tracking. It works well for businesses of all sizes looking for an integrated HR solution.
Zoho People is a good fit for businesses already using other Zoho products, creating a smooth experience across their management tools.
Sage HR is a UK based HR software that offers time tracking, payroll, and compliance management features. It’s well suited for small to medium sized businesses in the UK.
Sage HR is especially helpful for UK businesses that need a solution focused on local laws and regulations.
Software | Rating | Best For | Pricing Starts From |
GetShifts | 5 / 4.7 | Businesses that need to manage shift work | £1 per Employee |
Clockify | 5 / 4.6 | Freelancers and small teams looking for a free and easy timesheet tool | STANDARDTimesheeting & Billing $ 5 .49per seat/month |
BambooHR | 5 / 4.5 | Medium to large companies wanting a complete HR solution | $6/user/month |
Zoho People | 5 / 4.4 | Businesses using Zoho products for HR and time tracking | £7/user/month billed annually |
Sage HR | 5 / 4.0 | Small to medium UK businesses needing help with local rules | £2.20per employee/month |
When picking the right timesheet software for your business, consider these steps:
1. Assess Your Needs
Consider which features are most crucial for your business. Do you need mobile access, project tracking, or payroll integration?
2. Consider Your Budget
Look at how much you can spend on time tracking solutions. Some software, like Clockify, offers free plans, while others might need a subscription.
3. Evaluate Usability
Choose software that is easy to use. Complicated systems can make it hard for employees to log their time properly.
4. Integration with Existing Systems
Check if the software works well with your current systems, like payroll, HR, or project management tools.
5. Trial Periods
Take advantage of free trials or demos from software providers to test their features and usability before deciding.
Using digital timesheet software has many advantages for UK businesses, such as:
1. Improved Accuracy
Automated time tracking lowers the chance of human error, ensuring hours are recorded correctly for payroll and project management.
2. Time Savings
Digital systems make processes like payroll calculations and timesheet approvals faster, saving valuable time for HR and management.
3. Enhanced Productivity
By showing how time is spent, businesses can find inefficiencies and improve overall productivity.
4. Cost Efficiency
Accurate time tracking helps avoid overpayment and resource misallocation, leading to significant cost savings.
5. Better Compliance
Digital timesheet software helps businesses follow UK labor laws, lowering the risk of fines and legal issues.
To successfully implement timesheet software, follow these steps:
Step 1: Evaluate Your Needs
Look at what your business needs, including the features you want and how many employees will use the system.
Step 2: Select the Right Software
Choose the software that best fits your needs and budget. Use free trials to ensure it meets your expectations.
Step 3: Train Your Employees
Provide training sessions to help employees learn how to use the software effectively. This can include video tutorials, guides, and hands on training.
Step 4: Monitor Usage
Keep an eye on how well the software is being used. Check employee compliance and address any issues or concerns.
Step 5: Review and Adjust
Regularly review how well the software is working. Gather feedback from employees and make changes to improve usability and efficiency.
Using digital timesheet software can help your business follow various UK labor laws, including:
These rules set limits on maximum working hours and required rest breaks. Many timesheet solutions can alert managers if employees are nearing these limits.
Digital timesheet software can track employee leave and holiday entitlement, ensuring compliance with legal requirements about time off.
Accurate hour tracking makes sure employees are paid at least the national minimum wage, helping businesses avoid legal problems.
To get the best out of your timesheet software, consider these tips:
Ask employees to log their hours regularly to avoid last minute rushes and ensure accuracy.
Use reporting tools to gain insights into time management and productivity. This information can help inform business decisions.
Make sure your software is updated to take advantage of new features and security improvements.
Create a culture where employees understand the importance of accurate time tracking for their work and the business.
Digital timesheet software makes it easier for UK businesses to track employee hours, handle payroll, and follow labor laws. Get Shifts is a great option, especially for businesses with complicated schedules, like those in hospitality and healthcare. It has features like real time clock-ins and easy payroll integration, helping businesses stay compliant with UK rules. Whether you run a small or big company, Get Shifts can help improve productivity, cut costs, and make time tracking simpler for everyone involved, making it a smart choice for managing your workforce effectively.