Forget Biometric Time Clocks, We've Got Privacy-First Time Tracking.

A biometric time clock is a small business time clock solution that identifies an employee as they clock in by detecting a unique body measurement. Commonly used biometric time clocks include:

• Biometric fingerprint time clocks
• Biometric palm time clocks
• Biometric facial recognition time clocks
• Biometric iris time clocks

Biometric time clocks are illegal in some states. So check your state and local labor laws to determine if you can legally use a biometric time clock in your state. Collecting biometric data can be considered an invasion of employee privacy, which is why use of biometric time clocks in the workplace have become increasingly controversial. According to the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), New York has banned employers from requiring fingerprint scans, and Oregon has prohibited facial recognition scans outright.

A good alternative is an advanced cloud-based time clock. Homebase offers features like GPS snapshots and photo capture, so you can reduce time theft and buddy punching—without the risk of breaking any rules.

Yes. The biggest pro of a biometric time clock is that it essentially eliminates the risk of buddy punching and time theft. Unless you’re the star of a Hollywood action movie, most of us can’t duplicate other people’s fingerprints, faces, or other body parts. Making it almost impossible for employees to clock in for one another.

In other words, an employee must physically be present at work in order to clock in.

Biometric time clocks are often used to reduce the likelihood of time theft and buddy punching. If your goal is to optimize labor costs, there are ways to eliminate time theft without putting sensitive employee data at risk, including:

• GPS snapshots: Records your device’s location when you clock in. So you can tell if an employee clocks in/out when they’re not physically present at work.
• Geo-fencing: Allows employers to set a perimeter of 150, 1 block, or 5 blocks where employees can clock in and out.
• Photo capture: Captures a picture with the front-facing camera when someone clocks in/out. So you know exactly who’s clocking in at all times.
• Unique PINS: Slows down buddy punching, since everyone has their own PIN.

Biometric time clocks are helpful for businesses in sensitive industries that require additional security. For example, defense contracting. However, they’re much less practical in messy settings, like restaurants or construction sites, since dirt and debris can make biometric scanners less accurate and tricky to use.

Many businesses want to implement biometric time clocks to minimize time theft—and they are effective at it. But biometric time clocks are riddled with risks related to compliance, legal issues, employee experience, and reliability.

• Privacy concerns: Privacy concerns are by far the biggest con of biometric time clocks. Biometric data like fingerprints and retinal scans are permanent and can’t be changed like a password. If someone’s biometric data gets leaked, it’s irreversible.
• Controversial: Concerns around employee privacy have led to many states restricting the use of biometric time clocks.
• May require accommodations: Biometric time clocks usually use wall-mounted hardware which can limit access to all employees. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires you to make reasonable accommodations for staff with disabilities. If not, you’ll need to provide an alternative or find a different clock-in system.
• Compliance policy: You need your employees’ informed, written consent of your compliance policy so your team is familiar with the biometric data you’re collecting and how it’s being used.

If you need a biometric time clock for security reasons, you’ll want to make sure you’re staying up to date with federal and state laws.

The legislation around biometric technology in the workplace is constantly changing, so keeping up with changes will help minimize your legal risk. Otherwise, you can put your business at risk of violations and major fines.
If you need to use a biometric time clock, an HR and compliance platform like Homebase can be your trusted partner in staying compliant. With Homebase, you can:

• Collect employee consent and share compliance policies with your employees
• Review your policies with HR experts and enjoy on-demand expert HR advice to help you meet labor law requirements
• Get notified when labor laws change at the state or federal level so it’s easier to stay up to date with the latest employer legislation

Note: This isn’t legal advice. If you plan to implement a biometric time clock and wish to be sure about the legalities, consult a lawyer.