Check-in

What is a check-in?

The English term check-in translates as “examination, check on entry”. Check-in is known from airport check-in, where a traveler registers with the airline and declares that they are ready to depart.

In the context of personnel management processes, check-in stands for the start of a working person’s working hours. By checking in, they declare that they will start work at this time. This is also referred to as the start of working time. Alternative terms are clocking in, starting the stopwatch or recording the start of working time.

Why is a check-in important?

According to a ruling by the Federal Labor Court, companies have been obliged to record employees’ working hours since September 2022. The start, end and duration of working hours must be recorded daily and digitally. There are exceptions for certain collective bargaining parties. It is possible to delegate the recording to employees, but actual and correct recording and documentation must be ensured. Working hours for employees on flexitime must also be recorded.

What is a check-out?

A check-out represents the end of working hours. Also known as clocking out, it documents the end of working time. This can also be used to determine the actual duration of working time.

Is check-in and start of working hours the same?

Yes, check-in and start of working time refer to the same thing. They represent the exact start of the working time with the date and time.

Who is exempt from recording working time?

All employees are obliged to record their working hours. However, an exception is made for managerial employees, who are exempt from time recording. However, whether an employee is a managerial employee must be checked individually.

How exactly must working time be recorded?

According to § 3 Para. 2 No. 1 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG), companies must record working time to the minute. Furthermore, it must be recorded exactly:

• Start and end of working time and calculation of duration
• Break times
• Overtime

Is it permitted to record working hours on paper?

According to the draft reference, working times must be recorded on the same day and electronically. Recording with pen and paper is therefore excluded and not permitted.

Who checks the check-in time?

Companies are obliged to ensure that the working time recording system is actually and correctly applied. This also implies regular spot checks and checks on working hours.

Is geodata recorded at check-in?

No. In principle, no geo or location data is recorded during the check. However, this may be the case, e.g. with permanently installed terminals or with a specially activated function. In any case, the person checking in can decide for themselves whether the location data is also recorded.