What is buddy punching?

Buddy punching is a term used to describe when an employee gets someone (their buddy) to punch their timecard in for them, instead of doing it themselves. The reason for doing it is that the employee still wants to get paid for the work time even though they are not working. The employee might be late, wants to leave early, taking a long break or not even showing up at all. The company is paying time (minutes, hours or even days of work) that is not being performed.

Whatever the reasons for buddy punching it costs industry millions of dollars each year. In an uncontrolled work environment the wasted amount of payroll can really add up. Using some form of modern digital punch system that uses PINs (Personal Identification Number) or some variation of a scanning device is a much better solution than cards but a better method to completely stop buddy punching is to buy a time and attendance software system with a time clock system that utilizes biometric identifiers.

Biometric identifiers can be a finger, a whole hand or even an eye. By using a biometric time clock system, employees can only punch in and out when they themselves are standing in front of the time clock. A buddy cannot punch in for them because there is a biometric identifier. Biometric time clocks are easy to use and are very advanced in their technology. All each employee has to do is place their finger on a biometric scanner and the clock will register them as entering or leaving. Buddy punching is just not possible with a biometric time clock.

By taking precautions and selecting the right attendance software products and biometric time clocks, buddy punching can be stopped and thousands of dollars saved for your company - thousands of wasted payroll dollars every year.