18 Years with Timegrip: Still the best solution for scheduling and time tracking at ARC

18 Years with Timegrip: Still the best solution for scheduling and time tracking at ARC
Amager Resource Center (ARC) has been using Timegrip (Formerly TimePlan) for scheduling and time tracking since 2003. Today, Operations Coordinator Robert Bruun Mariager manages approximately 100 employees across 17 recycling centers in Greater Copenhagen. We asked him how Timegrip makes a difference in daily operations and why he and ARC employees continue to appreciate the solution after 18 years.
Robert Bruun Mariager highlights several advantages of Timegrip, particularly its ability to manage various types of absences and a large workforce:"I wouldn’t be able to manage so many staff across so many locations with such diverse types of absence without a system to assist me," he explains.
Since ARC implemented Timegrip in 2003, the department has grown significantly. They started with 26 recycling guides and eight recycling centers. Today, they have around 80 recycling guides at 17 locations. This growth, he notes, has been facilitated by Timegrip, and they plan to continue expanding with the system in the years ahead.
Before adopting Timegrip for scheduling and time tracking, ARC used a weekly Word document for scheduling. The printed schedules were physically delivered to the recycling centers, which, as Robert Mariager points out, was prone to errors.
"The manual scheduling process took an enormous amount of time," he says. Timegrip has since saved him a great deal of administrative work, especially with its notifications that flag discrepancies in schedules.
Managing schedules, time tracking, and absences
Robert Mariager primarily uses Timegrip to adjust schedules, manage absences, and leverage its integration with payroll systems.
"I onboard new employees, offboard those who leave, make schedule changes, and create long-term plans. When an employee is on vacation or sick leave, I log it in Timegrip and rearrange staff to ensure optimal coverage at our recycling centers. Once a month, I export data to our payroll system to ensure employees receive the correct salary on time," he explains.
In 2003, when Robert Mariager was searching for a software solution, he considered three options. Svend Holm from Timegrip demonstrated the program's capabilities to ARC, showing how it could best meet their needs."Both he and the program seemed extremely professional," recalls Robert Mariager.
For years, Svend Holm was ARC’s consultant until his retirement. His successor, Rasmus Vestergaard, now Timegrip’s Product Manager, continues to support ARC:
"Rasmus helps us configure agreements. We value his expertise and his role in coordinating our annual knowledge-sharing meetings with other Timegrip users in the service and transportation industries. Exchanging experiences about scheduling, absence management, etc., with other companies has been very beneficial," says Robert Mariager.
Handling complex agreements
When asked how Timegrip has made employees' workdays easier, Robert Mariager emphasizes the continual addition of new features, including the Timegrip WebApp.
"The app allows recycling guides and operations staff to view their schedules, vacation balances, overtime accounts, and holiday time (SH). They can approve recorded work hours, pick up available shifts, and more—all from their phones," he says.
For ARC employees, Timegrip’s ability to manage multiple agreements is also crucial. The system efficiently handles challenges related to bonuses and holidays.
"Timegrip ensures that all employees receive the correct bonuses and wages. We manage six agreements, including for seniors, flexible job arrangements, and hourly workers. It’s brilliant that Timegrip manages bonuses for shifts during odd hours and weekends. When you work on a holiday, the system adds time to your SH account. This would be nearly impossible to track using Word or Excel," he elaborates.
The future of ARC and Timegrip
Within a year, ARC will have around 450–500 employees using Timegrip, including a division responsible for municipal waste collection.
The numerous benefits Robert Mariager has experienced with Timegrip have led him to recommend the solution to other companies.
Would you like to gain better oversight of scheduling, time tracking, and agreements? Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation.
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