Nothing works in a supermarket without good planning — and solid time tracking is the foundation. If you don’t know who’s working when, you can’t reliably staff shifts or keep personnel costs under control. Yet time tracking is often underestimated or only half-heartedly implemented.
In this article, we explain why time tracking is so important, which tools have proven effective, and what added value it offers for staff planning.
Why Time Tracking Is Indispensable
“We only realised how much time and money we were losing once we started tracking working hours properly.”
— Store manager at a supermarket
Time tracking provides the essential data to:
- Document actual working hours
- Compare planned vs. actual hours
- Identify overtime, absences, or missed breaks
- Without accurate data, planning remains imprecise — leading to over- or understaffing, extra costs, and dissatisfied employees.
Tools for Modern Time Tracking
- Stationary terminals (clock-in/clock-out)
Ideal for larger teams: employees clock in and out on-site at the start and end of their shifts. - Mobile apps
Perfect for flexible teams or smaller stores. Employees can log in via smartphone, indicate availability, or report absences. - Integration with scheduling software
Modern systems link time tracking and shift planning, so all data flows together automatically.
Compliance: Protection Against Fines
Time tracking isn’t just operationally important — it’s legally required:
- Working Hours Act (ArbZG): Maximum hours, breaks, and rest periods must be followed and documented.
- ECJ ruling: Employers in the EU are obliged to systematically record employee working hours.
Without digital systems, it’s nearly impossible to meet these requirements properly — and fines may follow.
Added Value for Management
“We used to only find out at the end of the day who was missing. Now we get live alerts.”
— Regional manager of a supermarket chain
Digital time tracking gives managers:
- Real-time visibility of who’s on site
- Alerts for no-shows or late check-ins
- Data-driven decisions for short-term schedule adjustments
- A reliable basis for payroll
Conclusion: Better Planning Starts With Good Time Tracking
Time tracking isn’t just an annoying extra — it’s the foundation for efficient, legally compliant, and fair workforce planning. Investing in modern solutions not only cuts costs but also improves team satisfaction.
Discover how supermarkets and retail stores benefit from TeamUltim here – TeamUltim for Retail Teams
