Many businesses might consider keeping log of working hours to be time-consuming and a waste of time. However, this practice should rather be embraced, as it offers several benefits for employers and should be part of every producer and business’ routine. There are various ways businesses keep records of their employees’ working hours and it is sometimes referred to as a timesheet or time logbook. Keeping adequate records of hours worked by employees is very important. The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) stipulates that employers must record the working hours of all employees in an attendance register, and this can take on various formats, such as electronic/computerized clocking systems, manual attendance registers, logbooks etc.
The primary requirement is that the working hours need to be recorded daily and accurately. One of the main reasons to keep adequate records is to ensure that an employee does not work more hours than is allowed for by labour legislation. The regulation of working hours is also aimed at promoting the general health and safety of employees by receiving adequate rest periods. During third-party audits, the auditors will need to verify whether the hours were kept adequately and ensure that it remined within the limits prescribed by law.
