What happens when your team keeps missing deadlines or clocking in inconsistently, but no one knows why?
Managing time at work is like managing money. If you don’t track where it’s going, you can’t control it.
As highlighted in Harvard Business Review, ineffective time management can quietly drain team performance. It says,
“If you struggle with time management, your issues likely have a negative trickle-down effect.”
That’s why many businesses turn to BambooHR time tracking. It’s a tool that promises to simplify employee time tracking, attendance, payroll, and other related tasks.
But when your team works across remote, hybrid, and in-office environments, can one system handle it all?
In this guide, you’ll explore BambooHR’s time tracking features, where it helps, and where it may not go far enough.
You’ll also discover a more focused alternative that supports better time management, productivity analytics, and workforce analytics, especially for growing or distributed teams.
Table of Contents
- What is BambooHR time tracking?
- 7 key features of BambooHR time tracking software
- 5 major disadvantages of using BambooHR time tracking software
- An alternative to BambooHR time tracking software: Time Doctor
What is BambooHR time tracking?
BambooHR time tracking is part of a broader cloud-based HR system designed mainly for small and mid-sized businesses. The platform focuses on HR tasks, including onboarding, managing employee records, handling compensation, and fostering a positive workplace culture.
When it comes to tracking time, BambooHR includes it as an optional add-on rather than a built-in feature.
With this add-on, BambooHR provides basic employee time tracking tools, such as:
- Clock-in and clock-out options
- Automatic timesheet generation
- Overtime calculation
- Streamlined approvals
- Self-service access for employees
Additionally, you can integrate other features, such as attendance tracking and payroll processing, to create a more comprehensive HR setup. These tools can support teams with basic time management needs, especially in in-office or more structured work environments.
At the same time, it is worth considering whether an optional add-on can meet the needs of remote, hybrid, or distributed teams, especially when workforce analytics and productivity tracking are essential for daily operations.
Next, let’s take a closer look at what BambooHR time tracking actually offers.
7 key features of BambooHR time tracking software
BambooHR time tracking is available as an add-on within a comprehensive HR suite. It offers several time and attendance features designed to support growing businesses. Here’s a closer look at what it includes.
1. Time tracking
BambooHR Time Tracking notes employee clock-in and clock-out times to create accurate automated timesheets.
The software also allows employees to enter manual time worked on a specific project or task. Similarly, supervisors and managers can quickly approve these employee timesheets with just a single click.
This transparency allows employees to see how much time they spend on a task and improve their time management. Employers can also identify which tasks take longer and explore what is slowing things down, whether it is a process issue or a resource gap.
To streamline the process, you can also create a custom workflow that removes these bottlenecks. For instance, instead of sending timesheet reminders, you can automate the process, so employee timesheets reach you before the deadline.
The system also calculates overtime pay in accordance with U.S. employment laws and organizes employee records in a spreadsheet format, making it easier to maintain the organization.
That said, as teams grow or transition to more remote, hybrid, or task-based work, some businesses may seek tools that provide broader visibility or real-time tracking across diverse roles and work environments.
2. Geolocation
The BambooHR mobile app features a geolocation function that converts an employee’s smartphone into both a time clock and a digital timesheet.
This is especially useful for teams who work at specific physical locations or project sites. Once both time tracking and geolocation are enabled in the app, it can automatically start recording time, eliminating the need for extra steps from the employee.
Through this setup, the system can track:
- Clock-in and clock-out times
- Time spent on projects or tasks
- Location-based data for each entry
This type of project tracking enables payroll and HR teams to access accurate, task-level data on the time employees spend working and on specific tasks. That makes it easier to process payments and approve work hours with less back-and-forth.
While this feature covers on-site roles well, some teams with remote, hybrid, or flexible schedules may require more comprehensive tracking options, especially when team members are not tied to a single location or standard shift.
3. PTO management
Tracking time off becomes more complex as teams grow, especially when multiple leave types, approval processes, and shift coverage need to be aligned. BambooHR offers a PTO management feature designed to simplify the process.
Employees can request time off through the app. Managers receive notifications, respond with a single click, and see leave balances update automatically. The system supports a wide range of leave types, including unlimited PTO, as well as medical and parental leave.
It also allows custom policies based on roles or teams. For visibility, the “Who’s Out” calendar shows which employees are currently on leave or scheduled to be away soon.
This can help teams shift workloads, adjust timelines, or plan ahead for periods of peak demand.
HR teams also have access to reports on absenteeism. These can help track attendance patterns and support broader workforce planning.
That said, the feature focuses on logging absences rather than connecting them with employee time tracking or actual productivity data.
For teams that rely on time-sensitive workflows or manage remote and hybrid workers, it may be harder to see how time off directly impacts project timelines, billable hours, or real-time availability.
4. Payroll processing
Getting payroll right is essential. It affects more than just tax filings because it also impacts employee satisfaction and trust. BambooHR’s payroll processing feature helps simplify this by automating calculations, tax deductions, and payment delivery for U.S.-based employees.
With this feature, you can:
- Manage local, state, and federal tax filings
- Catch discrepancies before they turn into problems
- Automate recurring payroll runs
- Keep employee data protected through encryption
This setup helps reduce manual entry, prevent common errors, and ensure that everyone receives their pay on time. In case any issues come up, their customer support team is available to assist.
This approach is most effective for teams that have full-time, in-office U.S. staff. However, companies that work with freelancers, contractors, or a distributed workforce across multiple time zones may find they need extra steps to connect payroll with the way time is actually tracked.
When employee time tracking and pay data are not deeply linked, it can create more complexity in managing billing, budgeting, and productivity analytics. This is especially true in remote or hybrid setups where work hours can vary widely.
5. HR reporting and analytics
To make informed decisions, HR teams need access to reliable data. BambooHR offers reporting and analytics tools that enable the tracking of trends in employee behavior and the identification of potential issues early on.
You can generate reports on:
- Absenteeism
- Time-off patterns
- Workforce management metrics
- Basic productivity insights
These reports provide HR teams with a means to identify dissatisfaction, adjust workloads, and take steps to reduce turnover. With the built-in electronic signature system, you can also manage documents more efficiently.
Additionally, the system tracks who has signed what, eliminating the need to chase down missing approvals.
This level of reporting works well for general HR oversight. At the same time, businesses that depend on deeper productivity analytics, real-time employee time tracking, or more detailed insights across projects may eventually need tools that go beyond summary-level data.
For teams where attendance, time use, and task completion are closely tied to payroll or performance goals, linking reports directly to daily workflows becomes increasingly valuable.
6. Automation
Automation helps reduce manual work and keeps processes running smoothly. BambooHR provides automation features that streamline numerous everyday HR tasks.
With just a few clicks, you can set up workflows for:
- Managing employee PTO requests
- Collecting employee timesheets
- Gathering signatures on important documents
- Approving promotions and bonuses
- Adding payroll and time tracking data to employee records
These automated workflows can save valuable time for HR teams and managers. By streamlining repetitive steps, the platform helps avoid delays and lets your team focus more on core business activities.
At the same time, while BambooHR automation covers essential administrative workflows, businesses that require automation tied directly to employee time tracking, real-time project data, or more in-depth productivity analytics may find themselves seeking tools that deliver greater operational control.
Especially in remote and hybrid work environments, directly linking task progress and time use to automated reports can make a significant difference in managing workforce efficiency.
7. Other HR management features
Along with time tracking and attendance, BambooHR offers several additional features that help HR teams manage daily operations more easily.
A) Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
The ATS platform features a recruitment system that organizes candidate information in one central location. This helps hiring managers focus more on selecting the right talent rather than chasing down paperwork. It also improves the candidate experience, which can strengthen your company’s reputation.
B) Easy employee onboarding
BambooHR streamlines the process of collecting employee information electronically. New hires can complete forms and sign documents online, enabling teams to handle onboarding tasks such as setting up work emails quickly and efficiently.
C) Mobile apps
The BambooHR mobile app allows employees to handle basic HR tasks on the go. They can request time off, check approvals, and receive company announcements directly through the app. Managers can also use the app to monitor attendance and time-off status across their teams.
D) Performance management
The platform sends automatic reminders and notifications to supervisors for employee performance reviews. This makes it easier to recognize high performers promptly and provide support to employees who may need it.
E) Employee satisfaction
BambooHR uses the Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) survey to collect anonymous feedback from employees. These insights are then converted into an overall engagement score that helps HR teams identify trends and enhance workplace satisfaction.
These features offer helpful support for daily HR operations. At the same time, businesses that prioritize real-time employee time tracking, detailed productivity analytics, and streamlined project monitoring may still find gaps when it comes to connecting workforce data with overall performance.
Especially for remote, hybrid, or distributed teams, having a system that directly ties attendance, task completion, and engagement to daily workflows can deliver stronger insights for growth and informed decision-making.
5 major disadvantages of using BambooHR time tracking software
While BambooHR offers useful HR and time tracking features, there are a few areas where the system may not fully meet the needs of every business.
1. Not ideal for global employee management
BambooHR was designed primarily to simplify payroll, attendance, and tax filing for U.S.-based employees.
For companies with a distributed workforce across different countries, some functions like global tax compliance, international payroll processing, and multi-currency support may not be available. This can create extra steps for businesses managing talent worldwide.
2. Lacks built-in employee scheduling features
Although BambooHR integrates with third-party scheduling tools, it does not offer native employee scheduling capabilities.
Businesses that rely on shift work, flexible hours, or rotating schedules may find it less convenient to manage staffing on a single platform. Scheduling and time tracking data remain somewhat disconnected, making real-time adjustments harder.
3. Limited real-time productivity tracking
BambooHR focuses primarily on administrative HR tasks. Although it offers attendance and basic employee time tracking, it does not provide real-time views of how employees spend their time across tasks or apps.
Businesses looking for detailed productivity analytics or time-use patterns throughout the day may need to explore additional tools.
4. Less flexibility for remote and hybrid teams
BambooHR’s features are well-suited for in-office teams following traditional schedules. However, remote and hybrid teams often require deeper visibility into when and how work happens, across multiple locations and time zones.
Some organizations may find it difficult to capture the full picture of employee performance with basic clock-in and clock-out systems alone.
5. Pricing information is not transparent
Unlike many software providers, BambooHR does not publicly list pricing on its website. This applies to both the core HR suite and add-ons like time tracking. To get an accurate quote, you must speak directly with a sales representative.
This makes it harder for businesses to compare costs upfront and plan budgets clearly, especially when assessing long-term use or scaling needs.
An alternative to BambooHR time tracking software: Time Doctor
For businesses that require more than just the basics, Time Doctor provides a comprehensive solution for employee time tracking and performance management. It’s built to support everything from small teams to large enterprises. Whether your team is remote, hybrid, or in-office, Time Doctor adapts to your workflow.
With flexible tools, real-time visibility, and features that extend beyond attendance, Time Doctor helps you understand exactly how your team works and where their time is spent.
Here’s what makes it stand out.
1. Time tracking that adapts to your team
Time Doctor offers both interactive and automatic time tracking.
- Interactive mode lets employees start and stop a timer when they work on tasks.
- Automatic mode tracks work activity from the moment the computer is turned on.
These options provide accurate insights without interrupting workflows. In addition, the platform supports manual time entries with approval settings, which adds flexibility without compromising accountability.
This provides businesses with absolute control over time management while respecting the unique working styles of different teams.
2. Idle time alerts
To improve accuracy, Time Doctor detects idle time. If there is no keyboard or mouse activity for a set period, a pop-up appears to confirm whether the user is still working.
This gentle reminder helps reduce timesheet padding and keeps employees focused, especially in task-based roles.
Importantly, Time Doctor is not a keylogger. It only checks for activity, not content.
3. Deep productivity reports
Time Doctor provides detailed productivity analytics, not just surface-level summaries.
You can access:
- Attendance reports to track presence and punctuality.
- Timeline views to understand how the workday flows.
- Web and app usage to see which tools support or disrupt focus.
- Task and project tracking to measure time spent on specific activities.
- Hours worked reports for daily, weekly, or custom periods.
These reports provide managers with clear, data-driven insights to enhance workforce analytics and workflows.
4. Work schedules and shift tracking
With Time Doctor, managers can:
- Create schedules
- Assign shifts
- Track attendance in real time
- Make bulk edits
- Automatically adjust for time zones and Daylight Saving Time.
These features make it easy to manage availability and monitor hours, especially in teams with flexible or rotating shifts.
5. Built-in payroll integration
Since Time Doctor already tracks work hours precisely, payroll becomes faster and more accurate.
You can:
- Integrate with platforms like PayPal and Wise
- Export reports in CSV, PDF, or spreadsheet formats
- Pay based on actual time worked
- Set different pay rates for different roles or employees
This setup helps eliminate payroll errors and streamlines payment for contractors, hourly workers, and freelancers.
6. Screen monitoring (optional)
For companies that require additional visibility, Time Doctor includes optional screen monitoring. You can enable automatic screenshots at custom intervals to support more accurate employee monitoring during work hours.
This feature is particularly helpful for teams working with freelancers, contractors, or across multiple time zones.
You can choose to enable or disable this feature depending on your team’s privacy preferences and policies.
7. Project and client tracking
You can assign time entries to projects or clients and track progress over time.
This is ideal for agencies and service-based teams that bill by the hour. It also allows project managers to compare the estimated time with the actual time spent.
In addition, time budgets can be set per project to prevent overages.
8. Real-time dashboard and alerts
Time Doctor’s live dashboard shows who is currently working, who is on break, and what tasks are in progress.
Managers can view active hours and idle time as they happen. If something appears off, they can step in or offer support immediately.
This real-time visibility reduces the need for frequent check-ins or long updates.
9. Integrations with your existing tools
Time Doctor connects with many popular platforms through native and third-party integrations, including:
This means your time tracking aligns with the tools your team already uses, without disrupting workflows.
10. Transparent pricing
Time Doctor lists its pricing clearly, starting at $6.70 per user per month.
There are no hidden fees. Most features are included upfront, and you can explore the platform with a free 14-day trial to determine if it suits your workflow.
Final thoughts
BambooHR offers a variety of tools that may suit small to mid-sized businesses, especially those focused on centralizing HR operations. It covers the basics such as attendance, payroll, and leave tracking through a unified platform.
Still, what happens when your team needs more than the basics?
What if you want to see how time is spent across projects, track productivity in real time, and connect that data directly to performance and payroll, without depending on extra tools?
For companies managing a remote, hybrid, or distributed workforce, or those seeking growth and efficiency, utilizing a platform designed specifically for employee time tracking can have a measurable impact.
This is precisely where Time Doctor stands out.
It is designed to help you track time, monitor workflows, and improve team performance. Time Doctor provides the level of visibility and insight that general HR systems often lack.
It combines productivity analytics, workforce analytics, and real-time tracking into a single system that works effectively for both in-office and remote teams.
So here’s a practical question to think about. Do you really know how your team spends their time?
Want more than basic BambooHR time tracking?
See how Time Doctor can simplify employee time tracking and boost team performance.
Carlo Borja is the Content Marketing Manager of Time Doctor, a workforce analytics software for distributed teams. He is a remote work advocate, a father and an avid coffee drinker.