Q. Our nonsupervisory, hourly employees punch in using a time clock. Our supervisors write timecards. Is this dual method acceptable or could it lead to legal trouble? —A.N., New Hampshire
A. Legally speaking, it's fine. Many companies don't realize that federal wage-and-hour law requires employers to maintain “hours worked” records for every employee—nonexempt and exempt. However, the law doesn't outline any particular way. So there's no question that punching a time clock and filling out a timecard satisfy the 's recordkeeping requirement.
As for discrimination claims, it's very likely you would have no problem establishing a legitimate reason for requiring rank-and-file employees to punch a time clock because time clocks are less susceptible to abuse.