Employee Time Management

The importance of time management in the workplace cannot be over emphasized. Time really is money and the more efficient corporations and small business manage employee work hours, the more efficient, productive and profitable these enterprises will run. Increased efficiency reduces labor costs, minimizes workplace accidents and injuries, and helps companies meet production quotas. Keeping track of when employees clock in and out, along with the amount of hours workers spend on planned tasks gives managers a better overall picture of what an organization is capable of accomplishing on any given day or week. Supervisors are more capable of projecting and meeting production deadlines and scheduling a sufficient workforce to cover changing demands. By tracking hours worked and off days, employers can control labor costs and adjust billing to reflect accurately tabulated hours performed on specific jobs.

Even Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, was conscious of doing the will of the Father in a timely manner. I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world (John 9:4-5). Jesus realized that He only had a limited window of opportunity in which to finish the work of the Father at Calvarys Cross. In completing His task, Jesus redeemed mankind back to God: "Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do" (John 17:1b-4).

Effective time management in the workplace involves setting realistic goals, planning and prioritizing scheduled tasks, applying sound decision-making principles, delegating responsibility, and understanding how to motivate workers to produce at optimum levels. By setting realistic goals, supervisors and managers can help employees better manage a work day. Unrealistic production deadlines and quotas place undue pressure on workers and management; but by carefully planning, prioritizing and scheduling tasks, pressure is lessened and employees can produce more efficiently. In the event of unforeseen circumstances which require added human resources, employees will rally to the occasion if management lends moral support. Managers and employees who properly plan and prioritize job assignments tend to stay ahead of the game, pacing workflow for greater productivity. Prioritizing or scheduling jobs according to relative importance prevents the need to put out fires. As work is completed according to its degree of importance, workers can feel a sense of accomplishment without added pressure.

Some companies employ full time job schedulers to help prioritize and assign tasks to help employees produce more efficiently. Schedulers can usually estimate how many employees a job will take to finish. But, workers must also exercise sound decision-making in order to implement sound employee time management principles. If supervisors assign a task to be completed by the end of the week, employees cannot wait until midweek to begin the project. By carefully planning and pacing themselves, by weeks end, the task should be completed, or additional hours can easily can be allotted for contingencies and unexpected events. Good managers will know how to delegate responsibility and divide tasks among reliable workers who manage assignments wisely.

Companies that employ 50 to 100 workers on an hourly basis must run more efficiently to stay profitable. Manufacturing plants usually pay skilled labor an average pay of $10 per hour; while journeymen expected to earn $15 to $20 per hour. If 100 workers earn $10 per hour each day, a companys total gross payroll is $8,000 per day, $40,000 per week, or $2,080,000 per 52-week year. Add to the cost of labor, overhead expense; the expense of raw materials, supplies, parts, tools, vehicles; and one can soon see the importance of employee time management.

In addition to implementing time management practices, employers also have to be careful not to violate Fair Standards Labor Act regulations or those of the Employment Standards Administration Wage and Hour Division, part of the U.S. Department of Labor. Companies which schedule employees overtime without adequate compensation are most guilty of violating labor laws. Much of overtime work is a result of poor time management in the workplace. Federal and state governments will ensure that businesses dont take unfair advantage of employees by scheduling them to work excessive hours without adequate compensation, or hiring additional employees to handle increased workloads. Instead of putting out fires due to inadequate planning, over paying or under paying employees due to poor payroll practices, or running the risk of being fined for non-compliance with federal and state labor regulations; corporations may want to explore web-based employee time management methods.

Computerized time tracking software eliminates inaccurately recording and reporting employee hours, vacation, and sick leave. Web-based employee time management programs employ automated time and attendance systems which track when workers clock in and out, unauthorized overtime, real-time work hours, and pay rates. Software helps eliminate payroll errors and keeps companies compliant with federal and state labor regulations. Employee data can be collected electronically using computerized time cards that can record hours worked, vacation time and holidays. Workers data is categorized according to department and allows human resources an opportunity to view and generate reports which give an accurate accounting of each employees work-related activities. By employing web-based time management in the workplace, companies can realize greater profits through increased production and a more efficient workforce.

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