There are still many open questions regarding the obligation to record working hours in the construction industry. What does the current situation look like? Find out in this blog post the reasons behind the introduction of the working hours recording obligation in construction, what requirements are coming your way, and how digital solutions like Valoon can facilitate implementation.
written by: Marc Weimann
Table of contents
- The legal situation – obligation to record working hours for all
- Digital time recording as an efficient solution
- Disadvantages of digital time recording using an app
- Valoon as a solution for the obligation to record working hours digitally
- FAQ
The legal situation – obligation to record working hours for all
Since a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in 2019, companies in the EU are basically obliged to record their employees’ working hours objectively, reliably, and through an accessible system. In 2022, the Federal Labor Court (BAG) subsequently ruled that in Germany, the entire working time of employees must be recorded, making the ECJ ruling mandatory to follow. This means that an employers’ working hours recording system must not only be provided but must also be used mandatorily.
So far, there have been no concrete regulations on how, when, and in what form working hours must be recorded, and how a true obligation to record working hours in the construction industry will be enforced. However, it is clear that the start, end, and duration of daily working hours must be recorded to ensure compliance with rest periods and daily and weekly breaks.
A draft law to provide legal certainty regarding the manner of the working hours recording obligation was already developed in 2023 but is currently still under internal government review. (Questions and Answers on Working Hours Recording by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, 2023)
Even if the obligation to record working hours in the construction industry initially causes fear among many and brings back memories of punch clocks, it serves a legitimate purpose:
- Reduction of accident risk due to long working hours and overtime.
- Reduction of work-related illnesses caused by long working hours and overtime.
- Reduction of the economic damage caused by undeclared work: One in three hours, or an estimated €65.7 – 102 billion, is worked illegally in construction. (Handwerksblatt, 2018)
Digital time recording as an efficient solution
The Social Fund of the Berlin Construction Industry (SOKA-Berlin) has already considered how to implement future draft laws and has commissioned the development of a central platform for digital time recording. Because: over 65% of companies in the construction industry do not use digital time recording (BAUSEC).
The use of digital tools for time recording will play an important role in the future. There are already a number of providers that support companies in implementing the working hours recording obligation in the construction industry. However, one aspect stands out when searching for this on Google: “… via app!”. This may initially seem like a sensible solution. But there are also disadvantages:
Disadvantages of digital time recording using an app:
- Too many apps: Construction workers are currently flooded with a multitude of apps they are supposed to use.
- User-unfriendly: The use of many different apps means that employees must familiarize themselves with a new operating method each time, which is not always intuitive.
- Language barriers: Many apps now offer multiple languages, but notes and comments are not automatically translated, leading to misunderstandings and additional effort.
The simplest and best solution for the obligation to record working hours digitally in the construction industry: Valoon
The obligation to record working hours in the construction industry can cause some chaos, manual timesheets are a thing of the past, and the step into digitization must be taken. However, there is a simple and better solution for digital working time recording using an app: the combination of a messenger integration (e.g., WhatsApp) on the construction site and software for the construction manager or supervisor. And all of this without time-consuming onboarding and training for the employees. (Valoon)
According to a study by BauinfoConsult, WhatsApp is used in construction by all surveyed individuals as follows (Social Media in Construction: Increased Use of WhatsApp in Professional Life, 2020):
- 72% for internal coordination with employees and colleagues
- 56% for communication with clients
- 55% for sending videos, photos, and information
So why reinvent the wheel and not just utilize what is established? With Valoon, it works effortlessly:
Valoon is seamlessly integrated with popular messengers like WhatsApp, Telegram, Microsoft Teams, Messenger (Facebook), and many more.
Employees can digitally and directly record their working hours anywhere and anytime via a familiar and user-friendly messenger like WhatsApp. Employees can communicate and comment in their own language on WhatsApp.
The construction manager or supervisor receives the data structured and automatically translated into their language in the Valoon app. This ensures that all requirements for the obligation to record working hours in the construction industry are met.
The result: time savings for everyone involved, more flexibility, and GDPR compliance.
Want to learn more about digital working hours recording in the construction industry? Take a look here!
FAQ
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Valoon impresses
Jörg Wöhrle, managing director of bad & heating Bühlerzell GmbH and enthusiastic user of Valoon, can best summarize the benefits:
“Valoon has significantly simplified my workday. Coordination between the construction site and the office runs seamlessly, and all important information is available in real-time. I am particularly impressed by the ease of use – I was able to start right away without a significant learning curve. The team also saves a lot of time, and communication has noticeably improved. A must-have for everyone who shuttles between the construction site and the office!”
Still looking for the ideal solution for the obligation to record working hours in the construction industry? Contact us with any questions or book a demo directly to see what else Valoon can do!
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