{"id":26374,"date":"2024-05-16T18:27:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T16:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/?p=26374"},"modified":"2025-06-23T02:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T00:00:00","slug":"dont-track-time-with-pen-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/tracking-time\/dont-track-time-with-pen-paper\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s Why Using Pen-&-Paper for Timesheets Costs You Money"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nowadays, most companies can\u2019t imagine working with paper timesheets as digital ones provide so much comfort and ease of use<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re among those who are still not convinced of their effectiveness, it\u2019s time to rethink. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve compiled a list of benefits of digital timesheets<\/strong> and the many drawbacks of old-school pen-and-paper methods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s see how digital timesheets can improve your work life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Using<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The biggest issues with paper timesheets and punch cards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To highlight how paper timesheets can cost you money, time, and energy, we\u2019ll use a practical example. Take a look at the timesheet below:<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Example
Example of a timesheet from amherst.edu\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Although the above timesheet is well-filled out, there are several weak points that leave room for error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, errors are possible with digital timesheets, too, but you can minimize those mistakes<\/a> more easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, let\u2019s see why the 2-week paper timesheet like the one above isn\u2019t the ideal option for tracking time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Issue #1: Paper timesheets provide scarce information<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While 2-week timesheets aren\u2019t uncommon, when they\u2019re in a handwritten form like this, you don\u2019t get much detail about a person\u2019s workday. You only see numbers and some bare-bones information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is fine if you\u2019re at a job that puts more emphasis on your presence, or one that simply uses timesheets for accounting and payroll calculation<\/a>. But paper timesheets will be less useful if you need to draw actionable insights from your time records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Need help with payroll calculations for a small business? Here\u2019s a practical guide to get you started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n