Time Tracking Software Resources

All three are built for shift-based teams but have different strengths: When I Work is designed for businesses that want one easy-to-use platform with powerful scheduling, time tracking, and team communication. Managers can create schedules in minutes, manage multiple locations, track attendance, send hours directly to payroll, and automate routine scheduling tasks. Both plans include time and attendance, auto-scheduling, payroll integrations, and other core features, with pricing starting at $2.50 per user per month. Homebase is a popular option for very small businesses because of its free plan. As businesses grow or need more scheduling flexibility, costs can add up quickly. Homebase charges by location, so teams with multiple locations, departments, or scheduling groups often look for a more predictable pricing model. Connecteam offers a broader workforce management platform that combines scheduling, communications, operations, and employee management tools. Businesses may appreciate its breadth, though some teams find its separate product hubs and pricing structure more difficult to evaluate and manage. For most retail, food service, healthcare, hospitality, and other shift-based businesses, When I Work delivers the best balance of ease of use, scheduling capabilities, and predictable pricing.

Overtime surprises happen when you build the schedule without visibility into cumulative hours. A few ways to stay ahead of it: Review hours and labor cost projections before publishing. When I Work shows a running total of scheduled hours and estimated labor costs as you build the schedule. If a scheduled shift would push an employee into overtime or labor costs are higher than expected, you can make adjustments before the schedule is published. Set employee hour thresholds. When I Work lets you set maximum weekly hours per employee and alerts you if a scheduled shift would push them over. This helps prevent overtime while also managing part-time schedules, youth labor restrictions, and other employee-specific hour limits. Get real-time alerts during the week. Overtime doesn't only come from over-scheduling — early clock-ins, late clock-outs, and unplanned coverage shifts add up. When I Work sends real-time alerts if an employee is approaching overtime during their actual shift, not just on the planned schedule.

A solid attendance policy helps employees understand what’s expected of them while giving managers a consistent framework for handling attendance concerns. Definitions: Clear definitions reduce confusion and help employees understand expectations. Notification requirements: How far in advance employees must notify their manager, and through what channel. Many policies specify how employees should report an absence or late arrival, whether by phone, text, or through a scheduling app. If you’re using a scheduling app like When I Work you can also manage these notifications within the app for easy tracking. Documentation: When a doctor's note or other documentation is required — typically after a set number of consecutive days out. Clocking compliance: What happens when an employee repeatedly forgets to clock in or out. Accountability process: Employees should understand what happens when attendance issues become recurring, including coaching, documentation, and opportunities to improve as well as clear next steps if attendance issues continue. Legal protections: Reference to applicable leave laws (FMLA and relevant state laws) so employees understand their protected rights alongside your expectations. Positive reinforcement: Acknowledge employees with strong attendance. Recognition reinforces the behavior you want to see more of. Have all employees sign and date the policy, and keep copies in their employee files. Tools like When I Work create a shared record of clock-ins, absences, and attendance trends, helping managers apply policies consistently and reducing confusion for employees. Free attendance policy template available at wheniwork.com/blog/attendance-policy-template.