1. Relying on Manual Entry (Pen & Paper or Excel)

Why It Fails: Manual systems are prone to forgetfulness, errors, and even deliberate padding of hours. A missed hour here or there quickly turns into hundreds, or thousands, of euros in payroll discrepancies each month.

Fix It: Switch to a mobile time-tracking system like Simple-Simon. With automatic job start/stop features, digital time logs, and GPS check-ins, you eliminate guesswork and wasted admin time.

Pro Tip: Real-time data entry = real-time savings.

2. Time Theft or Misreporting (Intentional or Not)

Why It Fails: When employees fill in hours at the end of the day—or week—it’s often based on memory, not reality. Whether innocent or intentional, this leads to inaccurate billing and payroll.

Fix It: Use GPS-enabled check-ins and digital job clocks. Simple-Simon allows employees to clock in via smartphone on-site, minimizing misreporting and increasing accountability.

Stat: Businesses using GPS time tracking report up to 30% more accurate payroll records (Workyard).

3. Confusion Between Payroll Time and Billable Time

Why It Fails: Tradespeople often get paid from clock-in to clock-out, but clients are billed only for actual work. Without a dual-tracking system, businesses risk underbilling or overpaying.

Fix It: Simple-Simon allows separate tracking for payroll time and billable hours, ensuring transparency and accuracy for both employees and customers.

Bonus: Helps you create more precise estimates for future jobs.

4. Overlooking Breaks, Overtime, or Labor Laws

Why It Fails: Failing to track mandated breaks or overtime can result in labor disputes and even legal penalties.

Fix It: Automate break and overtime logging. With Simple-Simon, you can configure break reminders and alerts for overtime thresholds.

Stay Compliant: Protect your business from fines or audits.

5. Poor Team Training or Resistance to Change

Why It Fails: Even the best time-tracking software fails without proper training and buy-in. If your team doesn’t understand how or why to use it, they won’t.

Fix It: Educate your staff. Show them how accurate time tracking leads to faster payroll, fewer disputes, and a better work-life balance. Provide a mobile-friendly interface (like Simple-Simon’s app) with minimal friction.

6. Using Separate Tools for Time, Scheduling, and Invoicing

Why It Fails: Disjointed systems lead to double data entry, missed hours, and delayed billing.

Fix It: Choose a solution that integrates time tracking with job scheduling and invoicing. Simple-Simon connects your entire workflow from job planning to invoice—saving hours of admin every week.

Efficiency Win: One tool, one flow, fewer mistakes.

7. Ignoring Time Data for Business Optimization

Why It Fails: If you’re not using time data to improve quoting, staffing, or forecasting, you’re missing a goldmine of insight.

Fix It: Analyze your Simple-Simon reports to see how long tasks actually take. Identify bottlenecks, underperforming jobs, or high-efficiency teams. Use this data to refine pricing, team structure, and job planning.

Quote Better. Staff Smarter. Grow Faster.