What is a time and attendance system?

A time and attendance system is software that records when employees work and manages related attendance information. Depending on the system, it can also handle breaks, overtime, schedules, time off, availability, and payroll-related data.

Time and attendance software is particularly useful for hourly and shift-based employees because managers need an accurate view of employee hours and workforce coverage. Modern systems can connect attendance data with payroll, workforce planning, project tracking, and labor-cost management.