How time registration helps prevent overtime

26 September 2024

2 minuten

Timeregistration

Overtime continues to be very common phenomenon in British companies. The Protime Time Barometer reveals that 43.3% of British employees regularly work overtime. That figure emphasises the need to continue looking for better ways to manage the workload and reduce overtime. One of the solutions embraced by more and more companies is the use of an effective time registration system.

An embedded culture of overwork and unpaid overtime is taking a severe toll on business and workers across the UK. These are key findings of Protime research:

Hybrid workers are more vulnerable to overwork: 33% of employees say they are more likely to work additional unpaid hours if they are working out of the office.

Unrealistic workloads are routinely given to UK workers: 28% report being unable to get their job done in the working day and have to work additional hours as a result.

Managers aren’t doing enough to prevent overwork: 27% of employees want managers to proactively ensure work is more evenly spread in the team while 20% say the work they are delegated is unrealistic for the time available.

Overwork damages business performance and employee engagement: 38% of workers say they are less productive with 29% saying the quality of their work is impacted. 28% say it harms the relationship with their manager.

Employee wellbeing is also undermined by overwork: 53% experience increased stress and anxiety, 41% of employees feel burnout and 25% don’t take holidays as a result of overwork.

Time registration is not just a way of knowing who arrives on time and who doesn’t. It is a valuable tool offering insight into where time is lost and where work processes can be managed more efficiently. Thanks to accurate time registration, together employers and employees can identify where the problems lie and address the structural problems that lead to overtime.

A good time registration system shows employees and managers exactly how much time is devoted to various tasks. That makes it easier to identify which tasks take too much time or where there are blockages in the work process. When employees are aware of the time they spend on certain activities, they are better able to plan their working day and set the right priorities. That can reduce the need for overtime.

For example, if employees notice that they are systematically spending too much time in meetings, you can tackle the company’s meeting policy. By making meetings shorter and more efficient, as an organisation you can help limit overtime.

Time registration helps you identify patterns that indicate an excessive workload more quickly. For example, regular overtime, failure to meet deadlines or increasing absenteeism in the workplace due to illness.

The Protime Time Barometer shows that one of the reasons why employees work overtime is the shortage of staff or resources. Time registration can help make these problems visible, so that you can respond by hiring extra help or distributing the workload better, for example. By doing so, you prevent employees regularly being required to work overtime, thus risking burn out.

Furthermore, time registration enables team managers to intervene when employees are regularly working overtime. They can then review the distribution of work or automate certain tasks to reduce the workload. That not only helps reduce overtime, but also helps promote employee well-being. That in turn increases productivity and satisfaction in the workplace.

Download the Protime Time Barometer

Time registration not only offers insight into how time is spent but also helps identify the reasons for overtime, such as high workload and inefficient work processes. Interested in more insights about time registration, employee well-being and flexible working?

Download Time Barometer