eClock

The eClock app is designed to run on a kiosk device (such as an iPad or Android tablet) and fulfils the same role as a traditional time clock, typically located around the staff entrance at a Location.

Employees use it when clocking in and out of their shifts, and when they take breaks - see the below section for instructions.

The app is purely used for capturing time and attendance (TnA) data, which is sent back to Fourth's Scheduling system for processing.

Unlike other Fourth apps, eClock is not a personal app used by individual employees. Instead, it is shared by multiple workers at specific Locations.

eClock works in conjunction with 2 other new TnA apps - the Device Management app and PIN Management app.

Fig.1 - eClock TnA apps

eClock Device Management

eClock is managed by a separate web app, known as Device Management. Access to this app is assigned to employees based on their user-level permissions within Scheduling.

For the launch of the Device Management app, it will be used to configure daily Bulletins, TnA early and late thresholds, and maximum shift lengths. More functionality will become available in the future.

PIN Management

To clock in and out on eClock, each employee will require a 4-digit PIN. Via an emailed activation link, employees will use the PIN Management web app and configure their own 4-digit PIN.

If an employee forgets their PIN, they can reset it via the eClock app. This will trigger another activation link email and the user can follow the process again.

PINs numbers are company-wide, so if a worker has some shifts at Location 1 and Location 2, they can simply use the same PIN for both.

Clocking In and Out

Instructions for employees using eClock:

Using the eClock app, select yourself from the employee list and enter your PIN
If enabled by your organisation, Take a Selfie using the device's camera - this can be used for auditing clock records if required

The requirement for employees to take a selfie can be disabled via the eClock Management app

You will then be clocked in and your profile will display onscreen.

You can then exit and return to the main dashboard - this will happen automatically if there is no activity in the app for 10 seconds

Fig.2 - Clocking in - entering PIN and taking a selfie

At the end of the shift, log back in with your PIN and select Go to clock out

Starting Breaks

When taking a break, log in with your PIN and select Take a break
When prompted, select Continue (see Fig.3) - to return to your profile page, select Cancel

After selecting Continue, you will be set to 'on break' and the break will be recorded.

Fig.3 - Take a Break (eClock App)

Stopping Breaks

To stop a break, log in again with your PIN

The 'On break' page (see Fig.4) will display how long your break time has lasted

Select Stop break

Fig.4 - Stopping a break

Start New Shift/Continue Shift

Maximum shift lengths can be set in eClock (using Device Management).

If an employee's shift has exceeded the maximum length and they go to clock out, they will be presented with a prompt (see Fig.5).

To clock out as normal, select Continue and then Go to clock out
Alternatively, your shift may actually have finished sometime before going to clock out. In this case, select Start New Shift and select the date and time that your shift actually finished
If not actually starting a new shift, select Cancel after entering the date/time

Fig.5 - Retrospectively clocking out

Auto Timeout

As an additional security measure, the app will automatically return to the main dashboard after a period of inactivity. This means that if the employee logs in and does not interact with the app after X number of seconds the app will automatically return to the main dashboard page.

Employee logs in - clocks in, the App will return to the main dashboard after 10 seconds of inactivity.
Employee logs in - clocks in and then taps outside of the clock in prompt pop up the App will return to the main dashboard after 20 seconds of inactivity.
Employee logs in - they are already clocked in - does not perform any action the App will return to the main dashboard after 20 seconds of inactivity.
Employee logs in - Starts Break, the App will return to the main dashboard after 3 seconds of inactivity.
Employee logs in - Stops Break, the App will return to the main dashboard after 3 seconds of inactivity.
Employee logs in - Clocks out, the App will return to the main dashboard after 20 seconds of inactivity.