St Bernard’s Group Homes

CONTACT: EILISH BARRETT, HR MANAGER & John O'Rourke, PAYROLL MANAGER

At a Glance

Sector: HealthCare

Employees: 70-80

Product Installed: TMS (Time and Attendance software)

Client Objectives: Safety and security of residents, management of a 24-hour roster, tracking hours of part-time staff accurately, reduction administration load.

They say: A terrific tool, which has made life much easier, significant savings in all areas are being generated with the tremendous efficiencies afforded by using TMS

24-hour Work Roster

St. Bernard's Group Homes is a Health Agency located in Fethard which provides care and support to children who have suffered abuse. The agency is 100% funded by the South Eastern Health Board. They have between 70 – 80 full and part-time employees working a 24-hour roster, with a wide variety of pay structures. There are 4 units in the main area and one located a short distance outside the town.

Before Advance Systems' time and attendance software (TMS) was set up, the home operated a manual roster system for all employees. As there is a wide variety of shifts, a lot of paperwork was generated which was not only time-consuming but prone to human errors. According to Paul O'Rourke, Payroll Manager, "it was very difficult to track all the relevant hours and rates of pay".

Significant Savings in All Areas

Advance Systems Time and Attendance software (TMS) was installed in February 2004. Andrew Meaney, the Home's Director, says: "it is a terrific tool, and has made life much easier, significant savings in all areas are being generated with the tremendous efficiencies afforded by using TMS".

100% Security of Mind

Staff reacted very well to the new time and attendance system as they now clock-in using the biometrics reader i.e., finger recognition clocking. Security and safety is paramount to the home and the biometrics technology gives 100% peace of mind; each unit manager is responsible for the safety of the children in their care so it is vital that only the correct staff be there at any time. The off-site unit (Avala) is also linked to the main system and the information is sent through to the main payroll section. It is hoped in the near future to allow staff access their holiday, sick-leave and hours worked records on each clocking terminal. This will further reduce the calls to administration and give employees instant information.

Excellent Ongoing Relationship

Andrew Meaney summed up by saying, "Advance Systems has an efficient team who are professional in all areas and the set-up of the system was easy. Each unit manager was shown how to operate it and training was minimal as a result, the ongoing relationship with Advance Systems Ireland is excellent'.