Expert: Shirley McAllister, CPP, PHR - 9/20/2011

Question
QUESTION: There are several timekeeping systems utilized where I work.  One of the systems actually changes the time for rounding.  For example when someone clocks out at 4:06 prior to the time being transferred to the database from the clock - the clock punch is changed to 4:00.  The 4:06 punch no longer exists.  Is it just me or does this seem odd.  I've never seen a system that rounds and then changes the punch.  Is this something I should be concerned about.
Thank you,
Lisa

ANSWER: Time can be rounded to the nearest 15 minutes. Thus 4:06 can be rounded to 4:00. If the check out time is 4:08 it should be rounded to 4:15. You can check it by checking out at 4:08 and seeing if it rounds to 4:15. If it does this than it is working correctly.

Shirley

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So the fact that it over writes the 4:06 punch and it can no longer be verified doesn't make a difference?  I believe the rounding is correct, but the original punch can never be verified because it is gone.
Thanks again!

Answer
There possibly may be a setting in the timeclock that is a box you check to override punches in rounding. If there is such a thing in the setting than you can uncheck it. Otherwise the timeclock is set to automatically round. As long as it is set correctly there is not a problem.

Shirley