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What is a Punch Clock?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A punch clock is a timekeeping device which is used to record data about when employees arrive at and leave work. The data from a punch clock is utilized during payroll to determine how much each employee should be paid. This data may also be inspected by officials who enforce labor laws, looking for signs that employees are staying beyond legal working hours.

There are two components to a punch clock: the clock itself, and the “time card” on which data is recorded in a process known as punching or punching in. Traditionally, data was recorded on punch cards, paper or plastic cards which were physically stamped or punched by the clock, and punch cards are still used in some workplaces today. Modern time cards also come in a variety of guises, including cards with magnetic strips which are swiped through a punch clock, and wireless fobs which are waved at the punch clock. In all cases, the goal of the time card design is to ensure that data about the employee's work habits is recorded consistently and accurately.

Employee pulling her punch card to clock in.
Employee pulling her punch card to clock in.

The earliest punch clocks were developed in the mid-1800s in response to a desire to be able to record employee data accurately and efficiently. Without a punch clock, employers had to rely on an official stationed by the door to check employees in and out, or on the word of the employees. Punch clocks streamlined the process, and reduced the possibility of fraud. Most modern workplaces which pay hourly wages use a punch clock model to track their employees.

Some modern punch clocks utilize technology such as cards with magnetic strips.
Some modern punch clocks utilize technology such as cards with magnetic strips.

From the point of view of employers, the biggest potential problem with a punch clock is that it can be gamed. For example, an employee could punch his or her card and the card of a friend in the morning, and someone leaving late could punch a stack of cards belonging to friends to make it look like everyone stayed late. In some egregious cases, employees have been known to create false identities and punching their time cards for the purpose of getting two paychecks. Some punch clocks have gotten around this problem by requiring biometric information such as thumb prints, or by obliging employees to enter passcodes before their times are recorded, under the assumption that employees may not trust each other with their passcodes.

Traditional clocks -- including old-fashioned time clocks -- use a system of gears and pulleys to keep time.
Traditional clocks -- including old-fashioned time clocks -- use a system of gears and pulleys to keep time.

While some employees dislike having to punch in, the punch clock has some distinct advantages for employees. For one thing, the punch clock is a neutral arbiter, recording all information about an employee's hours. If an employee suspects that he or she is being cheated, an audit of the relevant time card can be requested. A punch card with security measures can also be used to prove that an employee was present at the workplace, in the event that an alibi is needed. Furthermore, the data on time cards can be used to refute claims that an employee is chronically late or prone to leaving early.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a SmartCapitalMind researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a SmartCapitalMind researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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Discussion Comments

lazybird

New versions of punch clocks don't use the actual units with paper time cards. We found one that we use, it is software that somehow sits on our Cisco VOIP phones, we just come in and log-in, and from there we can track all of my hours, and vacations etc.

We switched to this thing about a year ago, now I don't have to call HR for this stuff any more. I believe it's called ExtendTime.

Dan Fosley.

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    • Employee pulling her punch card to clock in.
      Employee pulling her punch card to clock in.
    • Some modern punch clocks utilize technology such as cards with magnetic strips.
      By: Claudio Divizia
      Some modern punch clocks utilize technology such as cards with magnetic strips.
    • Traditional clocks -- including old-fashioned time clocks -- use a system of gears and pulleys to keep time.
      By: tycoon101
      Traditional clocks -- including old-fashioned time clocks -- use a system of gears and pulleys to keep time.