 Important alert: Jan 27, 2012 1:22:08 PM EDT.
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- We have rolled out another round of enhancements and bug fixes, including: changes to the posting policy, enhancements for on-the-job trials (crowdsouring/trialsourcing) and to the project pages, updates to Skrill payment information and the browse/search worker pages, and various other bug fixes. View the Site Improvements Blog for the complete list of changes.
- UPDATE January 20th on phishing scam: We've received new reports of a second phishing email (claiming to be a prize from vWorker and Julia Robertson). Click here for full information.
- We have published another story in our case study series, provided by employer Marco-Hans Van Der Willik (Zoe-X). Click here to read about his story.
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AccuTimeCard™
Desktop and Web Application Overview
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The AccuTimeCard™ application is a timecard 'on steroids'.
Unlike traditional timecards, which are
vulnerable to fudging and deliberate fraud,
the system requires the worker to punch in and out in real-time, so that these times are
always accurate. In addition, the employer can verify that the worker is present at their desk
and truly working their project, because the system records
frequent images of
the worker's computer screen
(and their webcam if you have optionally chosen this). This gives
employers the confidence
that their worker is truly only billing them for time they worked.
And it also allows vWorker.com to enforce the
employer money-back guarantee and the
worker payment guarantee on this type of work.
Here's how the entire process works:
- Employer selects worker:
The employer posts their
project, and selects the worker they want to work with.
To begin work, they escrows the funds for the timecard (which spans one week).
- Worker does work and logs time:
The worker proves they are working in good-faith by logging their time through the
AccuTimeCard™. How?
- Punch-in: The worker installs the desktop timecard application on their desktop (if they haven't done so already. Click here for download information).
Then they punch in and begin work.
Click here to see full size
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Work verification: As they are working, the AccuTimeCard™ takes periodic
images of their desktop so that the employer can verify what they are doing.
To allow the employer to detect slow or incompetent work,
the AccuTimeCard™ takes
10-12 images/hour (more than any competitor).
If the employer chooses, it will also take periodic images of
their webcam, to verify their presence (and that they are
alert and working).
Click here to see full size
The worker can also take additional images to visually show the employer progress being made at important milestones.
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Manual entires: If the worker forgets to punch in for time, they can also record a manual entry on the weekly time card view. However, the employer is under no obligation to accept these entries. So this method is only recommended as a
"last resort" to workers. Workers can also use manual entries to subtract charged time from a timecard:
Click here to see full size
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Stopping work early: Either party may stop work at any time (from the timecard control panel) without
penalty. The worker is paid for all time legitimately worked and the employer is refunded the
remainder.
- Employer supervises worker through the AccuTimeCard™:
The employer can supervise the worker's progress
to prevent fraud earlier and provide guidance.
How?
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Weekly overview / Daily details: Both employer and worker can view a weekly overview:
Click here to see full size
and click on any entry to view the detailed daily view:
Click here to see full size
From the daily view, the worker can also notate images and/or exclude images from being charged for on the timecard.
Either party can also bring up all images in a detailed viewer for closer scrutiny:
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Stopping work early: Either party may stop work at any time (from the timecard control panel) without
penalty. The worker is paid for all time legitimately worked and the employer is refunded the
remainder.
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Virtual Office: The employer can view what this worker is doing right now (as well as other
members of their virtual team). This is the equiavlent of walking over into the worker's
office in a traditional work environment.
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Employer reviews the AccuTimeCard™
Once the timecard period (a week) ends, the timecard is automatically submitted to the employer for their review.
If it is legitimate, they approve it. If there is fraud, they receive a refund.
How?
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Approval: If they approve it, the worker is credited with the escrowed funds.
Any unbilled funds are returned to the employer for a refund or use in
future timecards.
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If the employer wants the worker to
work more, they can create a brand new timecard and the process starts again.
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 Tip: Until an employer creates a new
timecard, the worker cannot bill time for the following week.
To avoid interruptions in service, an employer may wish to setup two timecards
(one for week 1 and one for week 2) in advance.
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Disapproval: If the images show evidence of fraud, the
employer contests the timecard.
An arbitrator reviews the images and if fraud is verified, the funds are returned to the
employer. Workers who commit fraud receive poor ratings and may also forfeit their account.
Examples of fraud:
- Unauthorized breaks:
- Playing games (on a non-game related project):
- Unauthorized talking on the phone:
- Sleeping on the job:
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Nothing: If they neglect to do anything for 3 business days,
the timecard is auto-approved (per the contract), and the worker
is credited with the escrowed funds.
Note: timecards are only used on pay for time projects. For more information on pay for time (and how it compares to pay for deliverables), click here
for employer information or worker information.
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Instant Messaging (IM) information: