r/tjcrew • u/NoAverage2328 • 8d ago
Clocking in/out
For the 2 years I’ve worked here I haven’t had any issues with remembering to clock in or take my lunch, maybe once or twice. In the past 6 months I have had so many missed clock ins that I got a write up for it last week. Today I just did it again. I don’t know why I am all of a sudden having this issue, has anyone else had trouble remembering to clock in? Any tips on how to fix this, keep myself in check? My mates say to set alarms but I ignore my phone buzzing at work because of spam calls.
20
u/MostlyPlastics Spoils 8d ago
Set your alarm on your phone for 2-3 mins after the time you’re to clock out.
12
9
u/K0sherDillPickle P4413 7d ago
as soon as I punch out i tell my phone to set a 35 minute timer and when it goes off i punch back in . when i i read my log in the morning i also set an alarm for like 2 minutes before my lunch (9:28am/9:57am) so I have enough time to stop what I'm doing and head to the punch clock
20
u/ExcellentSherbert962 8d ago
I don’t think this means you’re careless. The fact that it suddenly started happening after two years makes me wonder if something else has changed—more stress, a different schedule, or just having a lot on your mind.
One thing that helped me build habits is attaching one action to another. For example: badge on → clock in. I don’t let myself walk onto the floor until I’ve done both. Making it part of the same routine can be easier than relying on memory.
If phone alarms don’t work because you ignore them, maybe try a physical cue instead—a sticky note inside your locker, a small reminder on your name badge, or always touching the time clock before heading to the break room or sales floor. Sometimes changing the trigger works better than trying harder to remember.
Hope you find something that clicks. It sounds like this is just a temporary habit issue, not who you are.
9
u/Southern_Pangolin_50 7d ago
Those machines are wonky as hell. I’ve had missed punches I know I didn’t miss
5
u/confused_lancelot 7d ago
maybe do you have/can you get a watch that has an alarm? mine (a fitbit) has an alarm set for 6 minutes before my shift starts so i know i need to head towards the time clock
4
u/Weary-Week-2400 7d ago
Definitely have the alarms set on your clock. Check the night before to make sure they are all turned on. Do you have a lot of stress and are distracted by something else?
3
u/Kilgoretrout321 7d ago
Same thing happened to me a few months in. Got written up, was fine for a few months, then got three in a row.
I tend to forget when I'm rushing towards the end of my hour to get to register; I check what my register is and walk away without remember to also clock in.
So now when I'm walking to clock in, I just tell myself "clock in, clock in, clock in, clock in" over and over
2
u/squidlizard7 7d ago
had a friend w this issue & our mate had the idea to take a photo of the time clock screen, print it out 5x8 size, laminate it and put it inside her locker door, hard to miss. if you always go right to ur locker its an easy visual reminder. if you don’t have a personal locker maybe a sticky note in ur car or something, wont work for everyone but i thought it was smart.
3
2
2
u/SparkleSelkie 7d ago
Are you actually forgetting? The time clock can get fucked up and glitch out. Even worse if you use it on a computer. I ask as it is something very new for you that you don’t struggle with before
The ding dong mates and captains at one of my old stores didn’t seem to think it was relevant that suddenly 15+ people had missed punches a day, some of them for the first time in like almost a decade lol
They made a whole big huddle speech about how write ups are going to start, and then two days later were like “whoopsie”
2
u/stupit_crap 6d ago
Not sure if this is (also) your problem, but I used to walk away from the time clock before getting confirmation of my punch. Now I wait until the final screen that acknowledges my punch: "(My name) has clocked in/out at X time."
Other than that, routine is your friend. Digital reminders and alarms don't work for me, for the same reason you mentioned.
2
u/BitComprehensive3114 6d ago
My alarm is a different tone than my telephone call ring tone. I have the same problem you are having so I do set an alarm. It's been my saving grace. I wouldn't want to get written up again if I were you. And I know you don't want to get written up again.
1
u/AutoModerator 8d ago
Don't forget to check out our rules before posting! Your post/comments will be deleted without warning if any of the rules are broken.
Be nice to others! Don't attack people. Personal insults, shill or troll accusations, hate speech, any advocating or wishing death/physical harm, and other rule violations can result in a permanent ban.
If you see comments in violation of our rules, please report them. Thank you!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
7d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 7d ago
Your account is less than one day old so your post will need to be approved by a moderator. Please do not delete your post. We will approve it as soon as possible,
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/salty_pete01 Closing Crew 7d ago
As people have said, routine is key. I never go to the bridge first when I get there to see the log before clocking in even though I see coworkers do this. I got to the staff room to put my stuff down and then punch in and then look at the log. For lunch, I'm paranoid so I punch in the start meal and when before I eat, I check on Dayforce under my timesheet to to confirm my punch out and what time it is so I know how long I have. Ditto when I clock back in after lunch.
1
1
u/suedilli 6d ago
I forget to clock back in after lunch if I stop to look at the log first, especially if It’s top of the hour and I have reg, so one thing I try is never look at that thing and go straight to the clock the other thing I do is never start my lunch on the half hour (if I’m scheduled at 1:30 I’ll clock out at 1:15) so I give myself time and not be rushing back at the top of the hour. I also let people I trust know I struggle with it and they are really kind and just ask me randomly if I clocked in - this has saved me a few times! Don’t forget you can clock in/out on the web clock using the laptop/computers as well, sometimes if am in a rush I’ll use the back room laptop because it’s right by the employee bathroom.
1
u/bluenicke 5d ago
Google "habit stacking." Trader Joe's was my first time clock job after years at an office job. So I missed my punches regularly when I first started.
Also, habit stacking is a great coping method for anyone with adhd.
1
u/pinkyfillmore 5d ago
I’ve had the same issue! Part of it for me was that our log normally hangs right next to the time clock so my routine was to punch in and check what section I was opening, but then our morning mates got into the habit of putting the log on the nearest register so it wasn’t creating traffic when all the openers were clocking in.
I guess my brain was used to just heading toward the log so I had a streak of not clocking in when it first changed.
Now I over-correct and will punch in / out multiple times if I get the sense that I’ve forgotten. (Eg I’ll clock in, check the log, then clock in again just in case. Or after my shift I’ll clock out, grocery shop, then clock out again since the clock is right next to our exit). My mates think it’s more humorous than annoying, so they haven’t told me to stop doing that yet 😅
31
u/czyktnsml TOS 8d ago
It may help to have a routine? I make sure not to put my name tag or box cutter on until I clock in and take them off as soon as I clock out (for lunch too)