This article was machine-translated from French and is being reviewed. Prices are in Algerian dinars excl. VAT.
The employee time‑keeping becomes a three‑step payroll: export the punches recorded by the time clock, convert them into hours according to your schedule rules, then transmit the validated totals to payroll software. The time clock only records punches. Lateness, overtime, leaves and missed punches are settled in the time‑keeping software before payroll.
In short
- The time clock records who passed and at what time. Your schedule rules produce the hours.
- The link to payroll is via an exported file or a direct integration. It depends on the software: check before buying.
- Leaves, absences and missed punches are entered separately. Each correction must be tracked and approved.
Employee time‑keeping: from raw punches to paid hours
| Step | What happens | Who handles it? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Time‑keeping | The employee presents their finger, face or badge. The time clock records the ID, date and time. | The time clock |
| 2. Retrieval | Punches are transferred to the computer via network or USB key. | Time clock and computer |
| 3. Calculation | The software applies the schedules: working hours, delays, overtime. | Time‑clock software |
| 4. Exceptions | Omissions, holidays, absences, missions. | HR or manager |
| 5. Validation | The manager validates the period. | Manager |
| 6. Payroll | The totals are imported or entered manually. | HR or payroll |
Export of time‑clock data
An export usually contains the badge number, date and time of each entry. It may also indicate direction (entry or exit). The content and format (spreadsheet, CSV, text) depend on the time‑clock software: request a sample file before purchasing. Direction is either requested by the clock or inferred by the software from the sequence of punches.
The employee ID must be identical in the time‑clock and in payroll. If it differs, each employee must be matched manually for each period.
Rules for schedules, delays and overtime
Decide on these rules with management before configuring the software:
- the time slots for each team, including the night shift that starts at midnight;
- the delay tolerance and rounding;
- the break: automatically deducted or time‑clocked;
- public holidays and weekly rest;
- overtime: when it starts and with what authorization.
Example: working hours from 8:00 to 17:00, with a 1 h break deducted. An employee clocks in at 8:07 and out at 17:20. Time present: 17:20 − 8:07 = 9 h 13 min. Hours worked: 9 h 13 min − 1 h = 8 h 13 min. The 7-minute delay and the 20 minutes after 17:00 are handled according to your rules: tolerance, rounding, approval of extra hours. Their payment or recovery depends on your internal rules and on labour law, which we do not detail here.
Holidays, absences and time‑clock omissions
- Leaves, sick days and missions are not clocked. Enter them in the software with an absence code, otherwise they appear as unjustified absences.
- A mistake is corrected by the manager, with a reason, date and name. Keep the original entry.
- In case of failure or outage, use a signed attendance sheet, then enter it.
- Before payroll, request a discrepancy report from the software: missing entries, duplicate entries, abnormal hours.
Link employee clock‑in to payroll software
| Option | Principle | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Report then entry | Read the report and enter totals into payroll. | Few employees |
| Export then import | Payroll software imports a file (ID, hours). | SME with payroll software that accepts import |
| Direct integration | The two softwares exchange automatically. | Only if both software support it: verify before buying. |
Before the first real payroll, run a trial for one month: calculate manually the hours of three employees and compare with the software. Adjust rules until results match.
Biometric data and labor law: caution
If timekeeping uses fingerprint or face, biometric data require precautions. According to Algerian press (Algérie Eco, TSA, Maghreb Émergent, May 2026), the Personal Data Protection Authority (ANPDP) adopted on 6 May 2026 resolution no. 03 on biometric timekeeping. These reports state a limited use to the declared purpose, security measures and retention limited to the employment relationship duration. We have not read the official text: confirm with ANPDP or a lawyer. AsloTech can help you prepare steps with ANPDP; this assistance is not legal advice. Other points are in biometric time clock, choose and install. In practice: do not use timekeeping for any other purpose than announced, and limit export access.
Rules on working hours, overtime and leave fall under labor law. We do not give legal advice: have your rules validated by a lawyer or advisor.
Frequently asked questions
Should the original clock‑ins be kept?
Yes. Keep the raw export and any corrections with their reason. You can explain each paid hour. The retention period should be set with legal counsel.
Can multiple sites be linked?
Yes, if each time clock sends its entries to the same software over the network, or if you consolidate exports. Use a unique employee ID across all sites.
Does the time clock suffice to calculate payroll?
No. It records entries. A time‑keeping software is needed for hours, then a link to payroll.
To install a time clock and connect it to your software, go through our page access control and time‑keeping or browse the access control store. Also compare modes in badge, fingerprint or code.