Why is Syntegro opposed to the general requirement?
Starting next year, companies will be required to implement a rigorous system of work time tracking for their employees. The idea behind this measure is noble: to protect employees from exploitation through unpaid work.
However, Syntegro believes that a general obligation goes too far. Although time tracking is relevant in many organizations, there are just as many where it is not. Mandating time tracking will meet with resistance from the affected companies and their staff due to the associated administrative burden and financial impact.
Belgium already has one of the most complex and rigid personnel management systems in the world, due to the interplay between our extremely extensive social legislation, a tangle of tax rules, and countless sectoral collective bargaining agreements. Due to the accumulation of obligations, such as the rules on wage transparency and the introduction of a mobility budget, many companies have reached their limit. So don’t add another layer of complexity that isn’t actually necessary.
Is there a “one-size-fits-all” solution for time tracking?
It may sound somewhat paradoxical that, as specialists in time tracking, we do not welcome a general requirement. But based on our daily experience, we’ve actually noticed that many organizations have their HR administration perfectly in order without a formal time-tracking system.
Think of smaller SMEs or organizations with many knowledge workers and standardized payroll administration. Here, people work based on mutual trust and clear agreements. For them, a time clock doesn’t feel like a form of protection. It is an additional administrative burden that can disrupt the dynamics of flexible working. A quick trip to the dentist, leaving work early to pick up the kids, or going to the gym during lunch: in many organizations, that is perfectly normal. Employees are also increasingly expecting that flexibility from their employer.
In sectors where the risk of overwork or social fraud is highest, time tracking has long proven its worth. Organizations with shift systems, variable schedules, or staff planning also know that such a system offers tremendous added value.
The quality and results of our work take precedence over strictly adhering to the number of hours worked.
How does Syntegro view the future of digitalization in the workplace?
Digitization only works if it is supported by the organization. Companies that successfully implement time tracking do so for clear reasons and needs. While time tracking may seem like a form of surveillance in some companies, in other organizations it can provide transparency regarding vacation days and work schedules. It can help companies with complex payroll processing to achieve extensive automation. When a company chooses to take the step on its own, the system becomes a tool rather than an obstacle.
Finally, we must not forget that the basis of this discussion—the European “time clock ruling”—dates back to 2019. Since then, the world has completely changed. Working from home has become the norm for many employees. The quality and results of our work now take precedence over strict adherence to the number of hours worked. A general obligation simply no longer fits the spirit of the times and therefore feels more like a step backward.
What is the conclusion for the government?
The ball is now in the government’s court. Syntegro is already calling for a more nuanced approach. Focus on sectors where time tracking is necessary, but give other companies the freedom to chart their own course. Together, we are striving for a workplace based on trust, where digitization primarily serves to reduce administrative burdens. Belgian companies need freedom rather than even stricter rules. Let’s give them that breathing room.
This article originally appeared in De Tijd. You can read Syntegro’s full opinion piece here: https://www.tijd.be/opinie/algemeen/tijdsregistratie-werknemers-schiet-haar-doel-voorbij/10657389.html
Summary: Frequently Asked Questions About Our Vision
Question: Why is Syntegro opposed to a general requirement for time tracking?
Answer: Because a “one-size-fits-all” law fails to take into account the administrative capacity of SMEs and the flexibility of knowledge workers. We believe in digitization driven by need, not by coercion.
Question: What is the alternative to a general requirement?
Answer: Syntegro calls for a nuanced approach: focus on sectors with an increased risk of fraud, but give other companies the freedom to choose systems that truly improve their operations.
