Time for a Change

The Luzerne County Commissioners have approved a measure that will mean county employees will now "clock-in." A biometric system that will rely on palm recognition will be used.

I was fortunate to have (for the most part) wonderful employees when I worked for the county Board of Election. 99.99% of the time, employees were on time. Most arrived early. Workers were required to sign their name to a daily attendance sheet with the time of their arrival.

And because they were early, they served citizens who came to the office before the "official" start of the day at 9:00 AM. I was never asked to compensate employees who found themselves working before the work day began. Please note that legally some business could not be transacted before 9:00 o'clock but that didn't mean employees couldn't get much of the preliminary work accomplished and then time stamp documents once the day began.

The vast majority of Luzerne County workers are dedicated public servants who take their jobs very seriously.

I cannot wait for the first complaint brought by a citizen who is unhappy because workers would not serve them before 9:00.

Be careful for what you wish.