How many times do we as administrators hear, “Well the job is finished but I’m just runnin' time.”

So what job are you really on when you’re “runnin' time on this job?”

That means that you are just going to have to run time on the job that you’re really on when you’re done running time on the other job that you’re not on. Then when you’re done “runnin' time” on the one you are not really on, that you weren’t really on from before, you will need to run time on that job too. So at what time do you stop running? How do you ever keep track of all that running? My little pea brain would get lost somewhere along the line.

So what should you do when the factory tells you that you need to have at least 50 to 70 percent of the time punched? Let’s look at what a labor operation includes to see if you are punching in and out properly for “real” for most manufacturers.

1. Time to drive vehicle in and out and set up in bay including any prep time.
2. Check for TSB’s
3. Removal, cleaning, and reassembly
4. Procurement of parts and returning the parts in proper order to the parts department
5. Basic diag time when included in the workshop manual
6. And the biggie ….. Perform the repair as per the workshop manual

These are examples of what is required for Warranty pay types. Some manufacturers are starting to require time punching on ALL pay types. In an audit situation, if time punching or over efficiency is apparent, the Auditor will require Tech time and payroll sheets. See below for an example of this:

I was just at a dealership where they figured out how to install a part without removing the timing cover. The workshop manual specifically said to remove the cover and install a new seal. So when the auditor looked at the repair he found no seal charged out but the tech did “runtime.”

This prompted him to look into the tech payroll sheet where he discovered overlap and discrepancies in time punching. All claims were charged back with this repair due to not being performed as the workshop manual.

Now the tech argued that “Hey I figured out how to do the job quicker so I fixed the vehicle and no harm done. The vehicle didn’t come back.” Here is the deal though, the manufacturer is paying the bill so if they want the repair done a specific way and they are stroking the check, then it needs to be done that way.

A properly punched repair will start when you acquire the job and end when all parts are properly returned and the comments are entered either by hand or in the computer.

For more information visit www.awninc.com.