What is Punch In and Punch Out? Meaning and Example

What a punch records

Every punch stores who punched, the date and time, and the source, such as the biometric device at Gate 1, the mobile app or the web portal. Many systems also record location for app punches and the device used. Some workplaces add break-out and break-in punches during the day. From these records the attendance system works out arrival, departure, hours worked, late marks and early going.

Rules around punching

These rules should be explained at joining. Many attendance disputes come from employees not knowing that a punch at a different gate did not count, or that the last punch of the day is the one used for the out time.

• The first punch-in and last punch-out usually count, and punches in between are breaks
• A missing punch-out at the end of the day needs a correction
• Duplicate punches within a minute or so are treated as one
• A night shift running past midnight counts on the date it began
• Punching on someone else's behalf is misconduct under most policies

Bringing punches from many sources together

Most companies end up with punches from more than one place: a biometric device at the gate, an app for field staff, a register for the night guard. They need to land in one record per person. In ZeniaHR, Attendance Punches collects in, out, break start and break end punches from web, mobile app, biometric, manual, import and kiosk sources into one punch stream. Duplicates within 60 seconds are dropped, and HR can record or void a punch with a reason, which keeps a clear trail of who changed what.

Frequently asked questions