There are still many open questions regarding the obligation to record working hours in the construction industry. What is the current status? In this blog post, discover the reasons behind the introduction of the working hours recording obligation in the construction industry, what requirements you will face, 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 fundamentally required to record their employees’ working hours objectively, reliably, and through an accessible system. In 2022, the German Federal Labour Court (BAG) then determined in a ruling that all working hours of employees in Germany must be recorded, making the ECJ ruling binding. This means that an employers’ system for recording working hours must not only be provided but must also be used mandatorily.
So far, there are no concrete stipulations on how, when, and in what form working hours must be recorded and how a real 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 aimed at providing legal certainty regarding the manner of the working hours recording obligation was prepared in 2023 but is currently still under internal government consultation. (Questions and Answers on Working Hours Recording from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, 2023)
Although the obligation to record working hours in the construction industry initially causes apprehension and evokes memories of punch clocks, it has a valid purpose:
- Reduction of accident risks due to excessive working hours and overtime.
- Reduction of work-related illnesses caused by excessive working hours and overtime.
- Reduction of economic damage due to undeclared work: Every third hour, or estimated 65.7 – 102 billion euros, 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 application of digital tools for time recording will play an important role in the future. There are already several providers supporting businesses in implementing the working hours recording obligation in the construction industry. However, one aspect stands out during a Google search for this: “… via app!”. At first glance, this seems like a sensible solution. However, there are also disadvantages:
Disadvantages of digital time recording using an app:
- Too many apps: Currently, employees on construction sites are flooded with a multitude of apps that they are supposed to use.
- User-unfriendly: The use of many different apps means that employees have to familiarize themselves with a new functionality each time, which is not always intuitive.
- Language barrier: Many apps now offer several languages, but notes and comments are not automatically translated, leading to misunderstandings and additional effort.
The simplest and best solution for the digital time recording obligation 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 time recording using an app: the combination of a messenger integration (e.g., WhatsApp) on-site and software for the site manager or supervisor. And all of this without time-consuming onboarding and training for employees. (Valoon)
According to a study by BauinfoConsult, WhatsApp is used in construction by all surveyed individuals in the following way (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 instead of simply utilizing what is already 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 record their working hours digitally and directly in a familiar and most usable messenger like WhatsApp, anywhere and at any time. They can communicate and comment on WhatsApp in their own language.
The site manager or supervisor receives the data structured and automatically translated into their language in the Valoon app. This fulfills all requirements of the working hours recording obligation in the construction industry.
The result: time savings for all involved, more flexibility, and GDPR compliance.
Would you like to learn more about digital time recording in the construction industry? Take a look here!
FAQ
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Valoon convinces
Jörg Wöhrle, Managing Director of bad & heizung Bühlerzell GmbH and enthusiastic Valoon user, can summarize the benefits best:
“Valoon has significantly simplified my daily work routine. 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 could start right away without extensive training. The team also saves a lot of time, and communication has noticeably improved. A must-have for anyone juggling between the construction site and the office!”
Still looking for the ideal solution for the working hours recording obligation in the construction industry? Contact us with questions or book a demo directly to see what else Valoon can do!
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