What Is Buddy Punching?
Buddy punching is when one employee clocks in or out for another, usually to cover for someone who's late or leaving early. It's a form of time theft because the business pays for hours that weren't worked. It happens most with clock-ins that can be shared, like PINs, passwords, badges or paper time cards.
How it happens
- A coworker uses a friend's PIN or badge at a shared clock.
- Someone logs in to an app with a coworker's password.
- A photo of a QR code gets shared in a group chat.
Why PINs and photos don't fully stop it
A PIN proves someone knows the number, not who they are. Webcam photos can show who punched, but only if someone reviews them. GPS shows where a phone is, not who's holding it.
What does stop it
Tie each punch to one person and one place. Passkey Punch does this with a QR sign at your site, a location check, and a passkey on the employee's own phone unlocked with their face, fingerprint or passcode. Full steps are in How to stop buddy punching.
FAQ
What is buddy punching?
One employee clocking in or out for another.
What is a passkey, and how is it different from a PIN or password?
A passkey is a login stored on your own device and unlocked with your face, fingerprint or passcode. Unlike a PIN or password, there's nothing to tell a coworker. See passkey time clock.
Can a passkey time clock stop buddy punching?
It removes the shareable parts. A coworker would need the employee's unlocked phone, at your site.