Time tracking via GPS is generally permitted as long as it is implemented transparently and complies with data protection regulations. With solutions such as the 123onsite app, the location can be recorded on a selective, voluntary or mandatory basis – always GDPR-compliant and secure for everyone involved.
What you can expect in this article:
- Is Time tracking with GPS permitted? The most important facts in brief
- GPS Time tracking: Working with digital systems on construction sites
- Conclusion: Time tracking with GPS allowed – inform your team what data the app collects
- Frequently asked questions about Time tracking with GPS – allowed or not?
Is Time tracking with GPS permitted? The most important facts in brief
- Time tracking via apps with GPS is permitted if it is implemented transparently and in compliance with data protection regulations.
- When recording working hours via GPS, data protection can be ensured through clear settings, assignment of rights and an AV contract.
- You can decide for yourself at any time whether and how GPS data is recorded: Selective, voluntary or mandatory.
- The 123onsite app for recording working time with GPS takes data protection fully into account.
- The app only asks for minimal personal data – fully in line with the GDPR.
GPS Time tracking: Working with digital systems on construction sites
In the information age, construction companies are also increasingly focusing on their own data. Even smaller businesses are increasingly processing their data digitally with the help of special software for the construction industry. The advantage: Apps make it easy to capture information and then process it efficiently in the system. That’s why smartphones are also being used more and more on construction sites. Companies adopting this also have to think about data protection – but this is easier than often feared.
Employers wonder whether they are allowed or want to collect data at all if the GPS location is passed on at the same time.
What you need to know about data protection when recording working hours with GPS
The combination of working time recording, GPS and data protection is a source of uncertainty for many construction companies, but with the right app solution, all requirements can be easily met. Employees have concerns if, for example, their employer can see where they log in to work in the morning, when they clock in or clock out. This is regularly a big issue during app implementation. That is why there are technical solutions for this.
Time tracking with GPS is flexibly controllable – you decide!
123onsite offers you three options for Time tracking with GPS:
- No GPS data: The app does not save any location data when you enter it.
- GPS only with consent: Employees decide whether to activate GPS. Time tracking also works without a location.
- GPS mandatory: Time tracking is only possible within the construction site radius, like a digital time clock.
GPS recording is only mandatory in setting variant 3: employees can only log in within a defined radius of the construction site. The advantage for you: Your site manager does not have to check whether the location is correct – the system does this automatically. This ensures that Time tracking is only possible directly on the construction site – similar to the classic time clock, where it is also only possible to clock in on site. However, digital Time tracking saves significantly on costs and is more efficient than conventional paperwork. paperwork.
Important to know:
The app does not collect data all the time, but always selectively as you enter it.
GPS data is generally reliably available – usually even better than the mobile phone network. GPS markers can therefore be retrieved without any problems in most cases. There are exceptions where the signal fails for structural reasons – for example in tunnel construction. The Time tracking app can be used with or without GPS, as data is naturally not available in certain places.
Zeiterfassung mit GPS ist am Bau erlaubt – 123erfasst erfüllt Datenschutz- und DSGVO-Anforderungen.
Time tracking with GPS allowed: 123onsite apps record this data
Your data protection officer will want to know what personal data is collected when using the Time tracking app with GPS – for example, when employees record their Time trackingexpenses and other things such as Photo documentation of defects into the system.
With the right app for site managers and employees, you don’t have to not be afraid of the cloud the cloud – quite the opposite.
The app only transfers data when an employee clocks in or out. Time tracking therefore does not run permanently in the background, but only when it is actively used.
123onsite also remains lean when it comes to personal data: only a few details are required for use, so your employees can get started immediately.
We work according to the principle of data minimization
IMPORTANT: For GPS Time tracking, the 123erfass app only collects the data that is really necessary. Mandatory fields are also limited to the essentials – e.g. first name, surname and personnel number of the employee. Unnecessary information is not requested.
Working time recording app with GPS & GDPR
You should always enter into a contract data processing agreement (DPA) with your software provider in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This also applies to Time tracking with GPS, as location data is involved here. This is because every company that has personal data processed by a service provider is obliged to do so. At 123onsite, we generally enter into this agreement with our customers.
Time tracking with GPS allowed – Determine data access by assigning rights
You can easily control who can see which data by assigning rights. Only employees with the appropriate authorization are granted access. Each employee or foreman has their own access with a user name and password. In this way, the system ensures that only authorized persons enter data – and always in their own name.
Working time recording with GPS – how data protection works: all data is encrypted and fed into the system
The transfer of data from the app to the system is often perceived as insecure. However, all data is transmitted in encrypted form. This means that there is no risk that this communication can be read.
GPS Time tracking & transfer of data to third parties
Thanks to the interfaces, the system automatically transfers a lot of data from other programs – saving you duplicate maintenance. However, the master data is not passed on. Only the information actually recorded, such as hours, employees or equipment used, is forwarded. And this is also done abstractly: the transfer file only contains numbers such as personnel number, cost center, hours and date. It is not possible to draw conclusions about specific persons or content.
123onsite apps are completely ad-free
Important to know: Your employees don’t have to worry about accidentally taking out a subscription. There are no hidden buttons for unwanted bookings in our apps – everything is clear, secure and transparent.
Conclusion: Time tracking with GPS allowed – inform your team what data the app collects
How you organize your workflow, how your employees use the app and what it captures should be well communicated.
Employees should know:
- which personal data is stored in the system,
- which data they should collect and
- what happens to the data.
If employees can only log in with the app in the vicinity of the construction site, you should also communicate this transparently. Then your employees will enjoy working with the app and appreciate the time savings.
Frequently asked questions about Time tracking with GPS – allowed or not?
Yes, time tracking apps with GPS are generally permitted as long as they serve the purpose of Time tracking and employees are informed transparently about the data collection. It is important that the data is recorded in compliance with data protection regulations.
You must clearly inform your employees about what data is collected and for what purpose. In addition, GPS data may only be used during working hours and not for permanent monitoring. Consent is generally not required if the data processing is justified by law (e.g. to document working hours).
The app recognizes the location when clocking in and out and saves this as proof that the working time was recorded at the correct construction site. GPS tracking does not run permanently, but only when there is active interaction with the app.
GPS-based Time tracking prevents incorrect entries, facilitates site allocation and saves time in monitoring. It also ensures greater transparency and protects employers and employees from misunderstandings.
