Timesheet
From ArticleWorld
A timesheet is used to record the amount of time a worker has logged. Timesheets can be used for billing of clients or for payment of the worker.
Contents |
Original uses
Timesheets were originally developed for the purpose of assisting an employer track the payroll. A timesheet can log the start and end time of a specific task; or it can log the amount of time spent on the task.
Some timesheets can log the hours worked and include details as to the number and category of tasks that were accomplished during these hours.
Information recorded on a timesheet can be used for client billing and payroll. Recently a growing trend shows that this information can also be used for estimating and budgeting the cost of a project as well as for time management.
Other terminology
- Time card is the version of a timesheet that many factory workers may have. These must be inserted into a timestamp machine at the beginning and end of their shifts.
- Punching in refers to the act of workers inserting their time card into the timestamp machine.
Technology
Web or network based time tracking systems have been developed by some companies. Internet services are now also available to do this. This software puts a system to timesheeting, enabling employers to lower costs by identifying cost relationships. It also keeps employees “honest” as it prevents from any “fudging” of hours.
Pros and cons
Time management can lower costs by making payroll more efficient, making costs visible so employers can identify where to lower them and automating the billing and invoicing process. It increases revenue by automating billing, which leads to fewer human mistakes.
However, many employees think that timesheets give the employer too much control and resent having to justify every minute of their time. It may also feel like needless bureaucracy to many workers since managers typically don’t have to fill out timesheets.