Attendance tracker

What is an Attendance Tracker?

An attendance tracker is a tool or system used by businesses to record and monitor employee attendance, including start and finish times, breaks, leave, and absences. This data is crucial for payroll processing, workforce management, and compliance with employment laws.

Traditionally managed through paper timesheets or spreadsheets, modern attendance tracking is increasingly automated and digital. Businesses use software or biometric devices to reduce manual errors and improve real-time visibility into workforce availability.

Why Attendance Tracking Is Important

Accurate attendance data helps:

• Ensure employees are paid correctly.
• Prevent wage theft or time fraud.
• Monitor productivity and staffing levels.
• Track absenteeism trends.
• Stay compliant with Fair Work legislation and award interpretation.

Improper or incomplete attendance records can lead to compliance risks, especially in industries with complex pay rules like hospitality, healthcare, and retail.

See Microkeeper’s Attendance and Time Tracking features

Types of Attendance Trackers

1. Manual trackers – Paper timesheets or Excel spreadsheets.
2. Digital timesheets – Online forms or apps employees fill out.
3. Clock-in/out systems – Hardware like fingerprint scanners or apps with geolocation.
4. Automated timesheet tools – Integrated with rosters and payroll.

Modern systems like Microkeeper use digital clocking + automation to reduce errors and improve efficiency.

What Does an Attendance Tracker Record?

• Clock-in and clock-out times.
• Total hours worked per shift.
• Overtime hours.
• Breaks taken.
• Leave (e.g., sick leave, personal leave, annual leave).
• Notes or shift changes.

Benefits of a Digital Attendance Tracker

• ✅ Accuracy: Eliminates manual data entry errors.
• ✅ Speed: Speeds up timesheet approval and payroll.
• ✅ Visibility: Real-time attendance data for managers.
• ✅ Compliance: Meets Fair Work and NES requirements.
• ✅ Integration: Links directly to payroll and rostering.

Attendance Tracker vs Timesheet

‍While both track employee hours, a timesheet is often used post-shift for payroll purposes, whereas an attendance tracker can function in real-time to monitor attendance.

Microkeeper's Attendance Tracker Features

Microkeeper’s built-in attendance tracker supports:

• Live clock-in via mobile app or desktop.
• GPS/geofencing for location-specific tracking.
• Photo capture for additional verification (ideal for remote or field staff).
• Seamless integration with rosters and payroll.
• Alerts for missed shifts or late clock-ins.

Managers can instantly verify times, review shift changes, and approve timesheets in just a few clicks.

Learn more about digital clock-ins with Microkeeper

FAQs About Attendance Tracking

1. Is tracking attendance a legal requirement?

‍Yes. Under the Fair Work Act, employers must keep accurate time and wage records. These records must be kept for at least 7 years.

2. Can employees see their own attendance records?

Yes. Most modern systems, including Microkeeper, offer employee-facing dashboards to view clock-ins, shift history, and timesheet approvals.

3. What happens if an employee forgets to clock in?

‍Managers can manually edit or approve shifts with supporting notes. However, consistent missed clock-ins should be addressed through policy or training.

4. How does attendance tracking help with award compliance?

‍Integrated attendance data ensures correct penalty rates, overtime, and minimum breaks are applied per the employee’s award.

Final Thoughts

An effective attendance tracker is more than a digital timesheet, it’s a core compliance and payroll tool. With Microkeeper, your team can clock in, track time, and get paid correctly, all in one seamless workflow.

_{Disclaimer: This glossary entry is for general informational purposes only and does notconstitute legal or financial advice. For official guidance, always refer to the ATO or consult a registered tax agent.}