Managing Field Workers: The Unique Challenge

Unlike office-based employees who work from a single location, field workers move between job sites and operate in dynamic, unpredictable environments.

It’s been found that about 60% of the US workforce is mobile, ranging in careers from construction to field service technicians and sales representatives. Managing these employees requires a different approach, especially when it comes to tracking their work hours accurately. Traditional paper timesheets are prone to errors, time theft, and inefficiencies. Digital time tracking offers a modern, reliable solution for employers to effectively manage their mobile workforce.

Why Field Workers Need Digital Time Tracking

Field workers are on the go, often traveling from site to site without ever stopping by the office. Having them track their hours on paper causes headaches for both the office and the worker. Using paper time sheets leaves companies open to payroll errors due to:

• ​Intentionally padding hours
• ​Illegible handwriting and smudges
• ​Manual miscalculations

Errors can lead to unhappy employees and possibly even compliance issues if hourly employees aren’t being paid for all hours worked, as stipulated under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Digital time tracking solutions, such as Arcoro Time, replace outdated paper timesheets with mobile technology that allows employees to clock in and out using their smartphones or tablets. These tools sync data in real time, providing accurate records of employee hours and locations, helping to accurately process payroll and ensure compliance with labor laws.

Digital Time Tracking in Construction

The construction industry, with its dispersed workforce and multiple job sites, is one of the industries that greatly benefit from digital time tracking. With a digital time tracking app, like Arcoro Time, construction workers can clock in from their designated locations, eliminating the need for supervisors to manually record hours. Workers simply enter their unique, 4-digit PIN and tap the green ‘Go’ button to clock in or the red ‘Stop’ button to clock out. Clock-in and clock-out data, including where your workers are located, is synced so team management can occur from anywhere.

GPS technology verifies their location, ensuring they are at the right site when they start their shift. Geofencing further enhances accuracy by allowing employees to clock in only within a predefined area. Additional features like scheduling, field notes, and compliance tracking streamline workforce management, reducing administrative burden.

But not every worker or company wants to rely on personal, mobile devices. In that case, a rugged time clock can provide the same digital time tracking capabilities.

How Rugged Time Clocks Work

A job clock is a device used on job sites where employees physically clock in and out. These battery-powered devices securely keep track of the hours of every employee working. Arcoro’s time clock can store up to 20,000 time punches, even if the battery wears down. The timesheet data is stored in the clock until it is either automatically or manually uploaded to a tracking or payroll system. Plus, time punches gathered while out of range are automatically sent when cellular service is restored.

Employees carry key tabs on their key rings and touch them to the time clock to clock in and out. Time punches gathered while out of range are automatically sent when cellular service is restored. Admins can assign multiple-colored key fobs to represent different job codes and/or locations, giving companies the ability to track labor costs on jobs.

While built for construction, time clocks have proven invaluable in other applications, even beyond the industry.

Many Applications of Digital Time Tracking: The Allentown Success Story

Digital time tracking is not limited to traditional construction projects. A great example is the Allentown “Click to Walk” program, an initiative that utilized Arcoro’s Time product to encourage residents to stay active. Inspired by initiatives that combat heart disease and promote overall wellness, the city decided to leverage Arcoro time clocks to make it easy for walkers to engage with the program.

Participants register for the program and receive an Arcoro job clock key tab. They use these key tabs to “click in” at one of the 11 clocks located throughout the city. Each click signifies their participation in a walk. The program emphasizes accessibility, allowing participants of all ages to walk at their own pace and time.

The success of Allentown’s program highlights the versatility of digital time tracking solutions in various industries beyond construction.

For field workers, accurate time tracking is essential for productivity, compliance, and cost savings. Digital solutions like Arcoro Time simplify workforce management, ensuring employees are where they need to be while eliminating inefficiencies of manual tracking. Whether in construction, municipal programs, or other field-based industries, Arcoro’s digital time tracking solutions provide the reliability and accuracy businesses need to thrive.