Director Chris Routlege says: “Biometrics used to record time and attendance is a relatively new technology and many people don’t understand how it works. If you give someone a key, fob or swipe card, they understand the concept. Ask them to provide their fingerprint and all sorts of legitimate concerns arise regarding identity theft or their fingerprints falling into the wrong hands.

“We explain to our customers, often at boardroom level, that no actual fingerprints are stored on the system, the encrypted data is useless to any third party and that biometric data is never shared, but if this message is not transmitted accurately to staff, there can be unease in the ranks.

UK Time Solutions has produced a Biometrics Information Pack for customers’ staff which can be printed and handed out, posted on notice boards or disseminated electronically. Customers can choose a Flash movie to send to staff via email.

Chris Routledge adds: “When staff are in possession of the facts they adopt the technology happily, because it means they never have to worry about forgetting or losing their key, fob or swipe card. Moreover they are comforted by knowing the only people in the building or on-site are fully authorised and have undergone any health and safety briefing. We believe it is vital that people have the facts about biometric technology before they are asked to adopt it, and customer feedback indicates we are right in that assumption."