In today's mobile-first work environment, GPS time tracking has become essential for construction, cleaning, HVAC, landscaping, and other field service industries. Yet many small business owners hesitate to adopt GPS time tracking because of persistent myths and misunderstandings.
At ClockShark, we work with thousands of contractors and service companies who've experienced how GPS time tracking saves time, money, and headaches. Let's clear up the 20 most common myths about GPS time tracking and reveal the truth.
Myth #1: If you have good people you trust, you don’t need GPS time tracking
Reality: GPS time tracking can be used to identify dishonest workers, yes, but that’s not the main purpose. Companies use GPS time tracking for several important time- and money-saving purposes, including:
- Accurate job costing
- Better customer service (shorter travel and response times)
- Improved communications
- Accurate payroll
- Streamlined accounting processes
- And more.
GPS time tracking is not about spying and mistrust; it’s about improving and growing your company and helping your workers in the field.
Myth #2: Workers will resent GPS time tracking
Reality: You might experience a small amount of employee pushback, but most employees appreciate the things GPS time tracking helps with. With a GPS breadcrumb trail, they are protected against false claims from customers, and you have the data to support them. They can also be informed of traffic problems so they can take better routes to service calls. When workers understand the value GPS time tracking provides to the company, they will appreciate it more.
Myth #3: Tracking employees' time is too complicated
Reality: GPS time tracking has evolved to become a simple tool to use. For example, with ClockShark’s mobile time clock app, workers simply open the app, choose their job, and clock in.
From the administrative side, GPS time tracking technology makes running reports, payroll, job costing, scheduling, and more even easier and less complicated. Everything is user-friendly and helps you stay organized and efficient with little to no effort.
Myth #4: We don’t need GPS time tracking because we can just use mobile phones
Reality: A GPS time tracking service provides much more than just time tracking. Detailed reports, accurate data, and shorter response times are just some of the benefits you won’t get from basic handheld devices.
Myth #5: It will make my workers feel controlled
Reality: Every workplace has rules and processes to create a safe and efficient environment. GPS time tracking is simply another process that improves daily workflows.
When workers see how much it helps—and receive accurate paychecks every time—they will appreciate it. Read more about the do’s and don'ts when introducing GPS time tracking to your employees.
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Myth #6: It will cause more stress for my workers
Reality: Because GPS time tracking is so easy, it will actually simplify their work so they have less stress. They won’t have to worry about remembering which days and hours they worked or scrambling to find lost timesheets.
Myth #7: It will demotivate employees
Reality: Actually, GPS time tracking improves productivity and accountability. In our experience with thousands of companies, employees work even better when they use time tracking technology.
Myth #8: It's too expensive for small companies
Reality: When it comes to GPS time tracking, there are a lot of options that range from very costly to free. When you consider the amount of time and money you save by adopting the technology, you’ll find the savings most often outweigh the expense.
Myth #9: Time tracking with GPS is not accurate or reliable
Reality: According to the U.S. government, GPS-enabled phones provide accurate locations within 16 feet under an open sky. Interference from buildings, bridges, or trees can cause some inaccuracy, but overall, satellites report GPS “with a global average user range error (URE) of ≤7.8 m (25.6 ft.), with 95% probability. Actual performance exceeds the specification.”
As for reliability, GPS satellites don’t go down, but in areas without mapping or with heavy obstructions, you might experience some interruption. That’s why GPS mapping is continuously updated to include new locations and locales.
Myth #10: My employees don’t want to be tracked
Reality: Employees who do not want to be tracked may not clearly understand what GPS tracking is. When they understand the benefits and that the purpose of GPS is not to spy on them, most will embrace the technology and be happy with how much easier it makes their jobs. Plus, it helps the company overall.
Myth #11: It's a violation of privacy
Reality: A GPS time tracking solution that is used on a mobile device will not track an employee who is clocked out. As long as the employer is not tracking the worker when they are off the clock, their privacy is protected.
Myth #12: It's only good for employers
Reality: GPS time tracking technology is great for employers, employees, suppliers, and customers. Employers save time and money; employees get accurate pay for hours worked; admins can be clear about which employees are where to better manage deliveries of supplies; customers experience better service from workers who are connected to administrators.
Myth #13: All GPS time tracking systems are the same
Reality: GPS time tracking solutions vary widely. Some simply provide the geographical location of your workers and/or vehicles. Others are more complex and allow workers to submit photos, notes, and attachments of their completed work, or can integrate with your accounting software to make payroll a breeze.
That’s why it’s important to research your options to find a GPS solution that fits your company’s needs.
Myth #14: Time tracking employees with GPS is illegal
Reality: In most states, GPS tracking is perfectly legal for an employer to use with their employees. As long as the employer is not violating the workers’ personal privacy, they are within their rights to use it.
Myth #15: It will access my personal information
Reality: GPS time tracking from a mobile phone accesses only the location of the person with the phone or mobile device. In reality, apps like Facebook, Google, and others access far more personal information than a GPS time tracking app.
Myth #16: It will track me when I’m off the clock
Reality: Some GPS tracking systems may work when you’re off the clock, but those are typically used for criminal surveillance and follow different laws. A GPS time tracking solution like ClockShark is designed so employees can turn it off on their mobile devices when they are off the clock. Once clocked out, it will not track their locations.
Myth #17: GPS eats up all my data and battery
Reality: GPS time tracking mobile apps run in the background and will use some of your data and battery, but the use is very small. On average, ClockShark’s GPS tracking uses between 15 and 20 percent of a normal cell phone battery during an eight-hour shift.
For data, an employee who works eight-hour days, 40 hours a week, will use between five and 20 MB per month. For more information about GPS tracking and battery/data usage, view our guide here.
Myth #18: It's only for large companies
Reality: It’s true that many large companies use GPS time tracking, but it’s not a solution only for Fortune 500 companies. Most GPS time tracking solutions include plans for small- and mid-sized companies so you only pay for the users you have. Companies with as few as five employees benefit greatly from using GPS time tracking. It saves them time, money, and headaches too!
Myth #19: My employees need a new cell phone to use time tracking
Reality: For workers who do not have smartphones, there are other options such as kiosk clocks and crew clock, which allow supervisors to clock in for their crews, or let all workers use one device on site to clock in and out.
Myth #20: It needs WiFi/data to work
Reality: While you may enter remote locations or areas with no cell service or WiFi, GPS satellites are always working. Even if you can’t make calls or send messages, GPS will still record a breadcrumb trail of where you were—even without WiFi or data.
Is GPS time tracking right for your company?
If you are considering GPS time clock technology, you probably have a lot of questions. One of the first is likely whether your company will actually benefit from it.
It’s a fair question. Here’s a list of things to consider when deciding if GPS time tracking is right for your company.
1. You have field workers.
If you have employees who work out in the field, GPS time tracking is almost necessary to stay successful and competitive.
Not only will GPS time tracking help you collect accurate time and job information, but you’ll also be more prepared to answer emergency service calls.
With GPS tracking, you can pull up a map and see who is working and where. This means you can send the right technicians to the right calls and significantly cut down on your response times. This greatly improves customer service and reduces travel time for your workers.
2. You have multiple worksites or locations.
Whether your job sites are all over the city or all over the country, GPS time tracking helps you keep track of each worker in each location with ease. No more driving to every jobsite or playing phone tag with your managers and supervisors.
3. You Have Multiple Pay Rates/Worker Classifications
Many employers have different classifications of employees. Construction and remodeling experts frequently have different pay rates and classifications, especially if they are doing publicly funded jobs and need to file certified payroll reports.
A good GPS time tracking solution allows your workers to clock in easily from their devices and switch tasks to another job type or category, making it much easier to have the right information for each job.
4. You Need Better Job Costing
Naturally, when you are able to check how many hours were spent doing a particular job, it makes the job costing much more accurate and simple. Never under- or over-bid a project again. You’ll have exact data to draw on when you use GPS time tracking technology.
5. Is Your Payroll Accurate, Every Time?
If you aren’t sure, you probably could use GPS time tracking. After all, you never know what you never know. Often, companies discover they have lost a lot of time and money with paper timesheets once they convert to using a mobile time tracking solution. It not only helps the employer to run payroll more easily and quickly, but also more accurately.
Plus, employees appreciate getting the correct pay, on time, every time.
6. Could You Improve Your Employee Accountability and Productivity?
While GPS time tracking is not intended to “spy” on workers, it does help increase productivity and accountability. When a worker shows up to do a job, you can see exactly how long it took them to do that specific job.
And since they know their time is being tracked, they will be more likely to put in their best work.
7. You Have Subcontractors
While subcontractors are not exactly on your payroll, many contractors benefit from having subs use ClockShark when working on construction projects. It helps a lot with job costing and makes payment easier.
No more confusion or miscommunication about the work that was done or how long it took. This will also help with keeping your job costing accurate, no matter how many subs you have.
8. You Outsource Your Payroll or Have Multiple Construction or Field Service Clients You Do Payroll For
Accountants and company administrators do all the heavy lifting for collecting timesheet information and turning it into accurate paydays. It is particularly challenging when you have multiple teams, multiple clients, multiple employee classifications, and a lot of data to collect in a timely manner.
GPS time tracking eliminates inaccurate or unavailable timesheet information and makes running payroll quicker and easier.
9. Employee Safety Is Important For Your Workers
From hazardous chemicals on jobsites to natural disasters and ensuring driving compliance, GPS tracking is an added tool that helps you make sure your employees are safer while on the job.
10. You Are Getting Blindsided by Overtime Costs
With GPS time tracking, you can be informed — up to the minute — of who is reaching their overtime pay and change schedules accordingly, often without leaving your desk.
Ready to Take the Guesswork Out of Your Timesheets?
If you're still relying on paper timecards or manual spreadsheets, you're leaving time, money, and efficiency on the table. ClockShark's GPS time tracking helps you eliminate guesswork, reduce payroll errors, and manage your field teams with confidence.
Whether you run a 5-person crew or manage multiple jobsites, ClockShark gives you the visibility and control you need without the hassle.
👉 Try ClockShark free for 14 days with no credit card required. Discover how easy time tracking can be when it's built for construction and field service pros.
