Buddy Punching
Buddy punching is when one employee clocks in or out on behalf of another who is late or absent, so the record shows time that was not actually worked. The name comes from a "buddy" punching a colleague's card or entering their code.
Why it matters
- It inflates payroll: hours that were never worked still get paid.
- It distorts records: timesheets and attendance data no longer reflect reality.
- It erodes fairness: people who record time honestly carry those who do not.
How teams respond
Some employers reach for biometric scanners or bossware-style monitoring to stop it. That trades one problem for another, adding cost, friction, and surveillance.
A trust-based approach usually works better: clear expectations, visible records, and time tracking that people fill in themselves. When hours are easy to record and easy to review, casual buddy punching has little room to hide.
How Sandtime.io fits
Sandtime.io records timesheets and reports without biometric hardware or invasive monitoring. Managers see who logged what and when, which makes honest records the path of least resistance, no scanners required.
Related Terms
Buddy punching is a form of time theft, sits opposite trust-based time tracking, and is often cited as a reason to adopt bossware.