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While most Pepperdine students were home enjoying their hard-earned summer vacations, the new time-keeping computer system for on campus jobs was installed in June. Kronos, a new electronic timekeeper system that can be accessed online, was brought about to improve accuracy and efficiency, to provide easy access for workers and to discontinue the use of paper timesheets. The system has presented its challenges, however.
“On the long run it will be good, but with any institutional changes, there’s going to be hiccups along the way,” said Ashley Nolan, supervisor for the PVC.
The Kronos systematic change is affecting about 850 student workers, excluding this year’s freshmen and 960 staff workers.
The new system requires workers to log in their hours through the Kronos Web site by either “entering your time on an on-line time card, (or) using the time-stamp method,” David Brant, director of payroll, said.
Numerous student workers have had a hard time adjusting to these changes. While this system may be more profitable for some offices, it has caused problems for those who often work out of the office, such as the Intercultural Affairs Office and the Pepperdine Volunteer Center.
“I think that the Kronos system with this type of job isn’t very efficient,” Camacho, an Intercultural Affairs office student worker, said. “We work on our own a lot as well as during weekends … so it’s hard to log in and out.”
Further, the process is slow.
“When you first sign up, it takes days (for it) to start working so you end up having to write down your hours anyway for your supervisor to log (them) in,” Camacho said.
Christine Yi, a junior student worker in Student Activities, also experienced this problem.
“Sometimes the computer doesn’t register (and can be) slow,” Yi said. “It’s inconvenient if someone’s on the computer to have to log in.”
Issues about accurately recording time stamps have also been a concern in Pepperdine offices. Workers often have to go down to a supervisor to make sure that work hours have been recorded.
The payroll department, which has had to deal with many of the criticisms, said that one of the most common complaints is that computers are not able to connect to their Web site due to the missing Java plug-in that is required to make the Web site work.
“Some people have complained that they have to put in their time in and out, and this is a hassle,” Brant said.
Overall, however, supervisors have been receptive to the new changes and have tried to adopt a positive attitude.
“Once the kinks are worked out, it will be better,” Larisa Hamada, supervisor for the Intercultural Affairs Office said. “The way to go is electronically because that’s where our future is anyway, but if it creates more work, then it should be reconsidered.”
On the other hand, many student workers have been adamant that this system has created more problems than ameliorations.
“It’s hard to work with and if you make a mistake, you have to bother your boss to figure it out,” said Jamaal Crowley, a junior student employee at the PVC and Presentation Services. “(Honestly), there are better things to do with our time then messing with this system.”
Despite the new challenges and headaches that have been associated with Kronos, some foresee the future advantages and benefits it could bring to Pepperdine.
“I think it’s great. It hasn’t really affected me in that way. (This system) is more accurate; they’re trying to make it more fair (for everyone),” Yi said.
Yet despite all the troubles caused by Kronos, supervisors in particular have been keen to point out how helpful the Student Employment Office has been in dealing with and helping workers adjust to Kronos.
Kronos is expected to remain the new timekeeper system. Adjustments, although troublesome, should soon be resolved.
Submitted 08-29-2005
MALIBU, CA
