Until the new system showed up last week, my Sears store allowed you to clock in at any of the computers on the floor and the manager's computers. Now it is only allowed on the manager's computers located way back in the office. More time to walk to this area and time spent waiting in line to clock in because multiple people start their shift at the same time. The managers receive immediate notification if you are 5 min early or 5 minutes late and they have to approve your punch in real time. If you shift ends and you haven't clocked out exactly on time, they are notified too. It's what I imagine a prison to be like with the guards keeping a close eye on you.
Never mind that the majority of employees in my store are middle aged or older and have been with the company for decades. Decades of not abusing the time clock but trying their best in the face of difficult corporate decisions. Makes me both mad and sad.
Bumped from @PIHo3oK-6jca, perfectly described.