Can I read your palm? City Hall workers use hand-scanning machine to clock in

The system already has been used by the Police Department for three years and by the Parking Utility for over a year.

City Hall has been using the system for the last two pay periods, just over a month, on a trial basis.

According to a city spokesperson, the trial allowed all employees to get involved and accustomed to the new system.

The system uses a “hand symmetry biometric technology,” according to the manufacturer, that scans the size and shape of an employee’s hand. It does not need to use fingerprints or palm prints.
Some sources in City Hall wish that the system was expanded to include clocking in and out for lunch break, but said that generally it is keeping people accountable.

According to spokesman Paul Drexel, the city policy is that the directors have been reviewing the employees’ usage. The directors also use the system.

The city previously considered allowing directors and other individuals who have off-site and after-hour duties to be exempt, but has since included these individuals in the policy.

Recreation employees
Director of Health and Human Services John Pope said last week that the logistics for Recreation Department employees, who work later hours than City Hall is open for, have to be looked at. But he said that in general he thinks the system is working.

“It’s certainly been helpful, more efficient,” he said. “We get real-time information about people’s attendance.”

He said that he is waiting for the kinks to be worked out so that the system can be incorporated directly into the payroll process.

He also applauded the city’s effort to integrate the new apparatus into the existing personnel policies.

Maria Corcoran, who works in the payroll office, said that there is no immediate timeframe to tie the system into payroll, but that it would be very helpful once it does.

Mayor David Roberts said last week, “We are working hard to ensure that the hand scanner is an effective tool used by the City of Hoboken to assist it in maintaining the daily records of public employees. It is another way we are working to modernize the management of the city’s workforce.”

Purchasing director Richard England said that the hand scan system will be evaluated before the administration expands usage to the employees of the Fire Department, Public Library, and Multi-Service Center.

The Construction Code office is not required to use the system due to their business being off-site much of the time, according to a spokesman.

“It’s an extra way of keeping tabs, but not as valuable as in City Hall,” Bergin said. He said that with different departments spread out around the building it’s tough to track all employees coming in and out.

Parking Utility Director John Corea said that the system works well and that he has yet to encounter any problems with the scan system.

For questions or comments on this story, e-mail tcarroll@hudsonreporter.com.