Manager fixing clock card - what to do?

Not_Me_Officer

This has been going on for a while & i've just stayed out of it but this week is the first time it'll directly affect me & i just want some advice as to what to do.

The manager we have started a year ago. Mostly he clocks on and off but often when he's finished early he's 'forgotten' to clock off and then written in an extra half hour (we're paid in 1/4hr segments). No i haven't gone searching for this - he leaves his card sticking up out of its slot so that's how i actually saw. If he works late well let's just say he never seems to forget to clock off on those days.

This manager is well in with the boss. Well in. We've all worked with some backside kissers i'm quite sure but i'd dare bet you've not seen a backside kisser like this before. You'll have to take my word for it i'm afraid. The manager is actually not so bad. I'm not here to slate the person. I'm just trying to show that he's well in with the boss as it may or may not influence your response.

It's my opinion, i may be right/wrong but if he says something then they'll believe it.




I'm the assistant manager so to speak. When the manager is away (holiday etc) i fill in the position & am paid accordingly. Due to this i contact payroll at the end of every pay period and tell them the days & times that i've filled in. They then check this against the clock cards & then i'm paid.


Well this week the manager took a half day holiday. He got another worker to take over his job at dinner time. I saw this & noted the time as it was due to be this workers dinner break and i was going to say that i would take over so this person could get their break. 10 minutes later i see the manager drives off in their car. I looked at my watch to make a mental note of what time i should be contacting payroll with.

Turns out he never clocked off that day. The next day he once again writes his time in ....... and adds on a half hour.

What would you do?


Should i contact them as normal with the time that i covered from & act like i never saw his card ... but this would possibly result in being asked why i'm saying one time when he's written another and (i could be wrong but) he would likely be believed over me because he is The Golden One.

Or should i just give in & lie and doctor my time to fall in line with whatever he decides to put on his clock card?

From an outsiders POV i know how this may seem. Honestly i have no issue with the guy generally. His work is decent enough, it's just this side of it that affects me really. All the other times i don't really care about as it hasn't affected me so i've stayed quiet but i don't know what i should do really here.

Mr.Generous

The guys I worked with did stuff like taking a day off in the week because they had to work Saturday then came in with kids with them Sat and stayed half an hour. If I were you I'd just use the clock cards, half an hour isn't so bad.

ohreally

Not_Me_Officer wrote: »

What would you do?

Its not your party, keep out of it.

Xbigman

If you're not losing out personally you should ignore it.

If you chose to say something and it turns out the manager has permission or a valid reason to leave early and sign themselves out later, then your job could easily become untenable.



Darren

antonic

I agree with the others.

Unless it directly affects you leave well alone as for all you know he may have been given permission to go early, and if you interfere it may come back to bite you in the behind.

Forwandert

Is it normal for the manager to take a break if he is in himself? Who covers that break period?

Assuming they do normally have a break at some point during the day and someone covers that it would be normal for whoever deals with time sheets to expect someone covering the breaks.

FBaby

I would record for yourself all the times you see this happening. Ultimately, he is potentially defrauding the company. It doesn't have to be personal. However, you do need to be careful as to the impact of reporting it, hence why it is better to record for some time so that the effect is significant, rather than report one or two events, which could be seen as acceptable (he could maybe make a case that works many extra hours at home) and then it will go against you.

TELLIT01

If it's practical to speak to your HR / Payroll department in confidence, saying you are concerned about abuse of the clocking system, then that's the route I would take. There may be justification for his actions which you aren't aware of. There is a big difference between voicing concerns to those who can investigate, and making an outright claim of fraud.

Mersey_2

The only obvious consequence which arises is if there's a fire drill (or actual fire), clocking in records can be vital. [There was a fire at a factory in Knowsley and as well as the fraud you mention being uncovered, the firm was fined by the Fire Service as their personnel went in to rescue 2 supposed workers who weren't of course in there]


Not that I'm suggesting you set of the fire alarm.


Incidentally I doubt any manager who has only been there a year is as 'well in' as you may think (unless he's related to the employer).

FutureGirl

It is directly affecting the OP as now he won't be getting paid the additional money for when the manager isn't there. (This is how I read it).

Zeni

I would not doctor your time - be honest and say the times you clock in and out..you shouldn't lose out money for him.
If they notice an anomaly and then ask you about it just be honest and say that you started at that time and he had already left (I'm assuming other works on shift then can back this up).You don't need to mention seeing his cards. If they are concerned you would hope they would do a bit of investigating themselves and notice what he is doing. Also, do other members of staff notice? Wouldn't hurt to maybe comment on it to someone else.. 'That's odd he hasn't clocked out yet' or something so that if things go south you have other people that have noticed that can back it up.