How to Clock In and Out

By Monirul Islam · 2026-02-17 · Attendance

OpenHR uses a smart attendance tracking system that combines a live selfie, GPS location verification, and time tracking to create a tamper-proof attendance record — eliminating buddy punching and manual errors.

Before You Start Clocking In

Make sure you have:

1. Camera access — Your browser will ask for camera permission. Allow it for selfie-based verification.
2. Location access — GPS must be enabled on your device. Allow location permission when prompted.
3. HTTPS connection — The app must be accessed over a secure connection for camera and GPS to work.

If you're using OpenHR on your phone, make sure you've installed it as a PWA for the best experience with camera and GPS.

Navigate to the Attendance Screen

From your dashboard, you have two ways to start:

• Click the "Office Check-In" or "Factory Check-In" quick action button on your dashboard.
• Or, go to the Attendance page from the sidebar menu.

Choose Your Attendance Mode — Office or Factory

• Office Mode — For regular office work. Your GPS location will be matched against configured office locations (geofencing).
• Factory Mode — For field or factory work. You must add remarks (e.g., factory name, site details) before clocking in.

Wait for Camera and GPS Verification

The attendance screen shows:

• A live camera feed in a circular frame (front-facing camera by default).
• A "Face Ready" indicator at the top when the camera is active (green, pulsing).
• Your GPS location below the camera — it shows the matched office name (e.g., "Head Office") or "Remote Area" if you're not near a configured location.

Mobile users: You can toggle between front and back cameras using the camera switch button. If your device supports it, you can also toggle the flashlight.

How to Clock In with Selfie Verification

Once both camera and GPS are ready:

1. Review your location tag — make sure it shows the correct office or area.
2. For Factory mode, enter your remarks (factory name, project details, etc.).
3. Click "Check In".
4. The system captures your selfie automatically.
5. A success animation (checkmark + "Verified") confirms your clock-in.

What gets recorded in your attendance:

• Your selfie photo (auto-converted to WebP for efficient storage)
• GPS coordinates (latitude, longitude)
• Office/location name
• Check-in time
• Date
• Duty type (OFFICE or FACTORY)
• Status: PRESENT or LATE (calculated based on your shift start time + grace period)

How to Clock Out and End Your Session

When your work is done:

1. Go back to the Attendance page (or click "Finish Session" from the dashboard).
2. The button now shows "Check Out" instead of "Check In."
3. Your camera and GPS will activate again.
4. Optionally add end-of-day remarks.
5. Click "Check Out" to complete your session.

Your check-out time is recorded, and the session is marked as completed. You can review your attendance history anytime.

How Late Status Is Calculated

Your attendance status is automatically determined by your assigned shift:

• Clock in before (shift start time + grace period) → PRESENT
• Clock in after (shift start time + grace period) → LATE
• Grace period is configured by your admin in Organization Settings (e.g., 15 minutes)

What Happens If You Forget to Clock Out — Auto-Close

If you forget to clock out, the system automatically closes your session:

• Past-date sessions — Closed automatically when you next log in. Remarks show "[System: Auto-Closed Past Date]."
• Same-day sessions — Closed at the configured auto-close time (default: 11:59 PM). Remarks show "[System: Max Time Reached]."

Tips for Reliable Attendance Tracking

• Always make sure your GPS shows the correct location before clocking in.
• If GPS shows "Locating..." — wait a few seconds or tap the location indicator to refresh.
• Factory mode remarks are mandatory — be specific about your work site.
• Your selfie is stored securely and used for attendance verification only.

Related Guides

• Understanding Your Attendance Logs — Review your attendance history and records.
• Attendance Audit for Admins — Admin tools for editing and managing attendance.
• Setting Up Your Organization — Configure shifts, office locations, and geofencing.
• Welcome to OpenHR — Overview of all features.