FAQ
Chronicle is a UK-built time, attendance, and access control system that gives organisations total control over workforce visibility, compliance, and security. Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions about Chronicle’s Online Time and Attendance, HR, Payroll, and Access control features.
Sections
General Questions
 What is Chronicle and what does it do?
Chronicle Online is an integrated Time and Attendance, HR, and Access Control platform. It helps businesses manage working hours, control site access, track absence, automate payroll data, and handle emergency reporting — all from one system.
Who can use Chronicle?
Chronicle is built for HR teams, managers, and employees across all sectors. HR handles compliance and reporting, managers oversee attendance and performance, and employees access their shifts, leave, and clocking through self-service.
Is Chronicle cloud-based?
Yes. Chronicle is a secure, UK-hosted cloud system accessible anywhere via browser or mobile. No on-premise servers are required, and updates happen automatically.
Can Chronicle be accessed on mobile?
Yes. Chronicle works seamlessly on mobile browsers and via the Chronicle Manager App, giving managers and supervisors live visibility of attendance, fire roll calls, and site activity.
How secure is the system?
Chronicle meets full UK GDPR standards, encrypts all data in transit and at rest, and is hosted securely in the UK. ISO 27001 certification is underway.
How long does implementation take?
Implementation time depends on complexity — typically 2–4 weeks for standard setups and longer for multi-site or integrated access control configurations.
What support do you offer?
All support is provided directly by our UK-based Chronicle team via phone, email, and ticketing. No outsourcing — just direct access to specialists.
Does Chronicle handle multiple sites?
Yes. Chronicle can manage unlimited sites, departments, and access zones, each with its own rules and permissions.
Is training included?
Yes. Full training is included for HR, payroll, managers, and administrators as part of setup.
How are updates handled?
Updates are automatic and included in your subscription — no downtime or upgrade fees.
Chronicle HR & Employee Management
Can employees update their own information?
Yes. Employees can update contact details, personal information, and view assigned documents through self-service.
Does Chronicle include employee self-service?
Yes. Employees can request holidays, view schedules, and access payslips, depending on permissions.
Is Chronicle cloud-based?
New employees can be added manually or imported in bulk. Leavers are archived securely with complete history retention.
Can Chronicle store employee documents?
Yes. Upload contracts, certifications, or policies directly to the employee record with role based access.
Can I record notes or disciplinary actions?
Yes. Managers can store confidential notes and performance or disciplinary records within each employee file.
Chronicle Time, Attendance, and Leave
How does Chronicle track attendance?
Chronicle supports multiple clocking methods: card or fob-based terminals, fingerprint biometric readers, and facial recognition devices. Attendance data feeds directly into live dashboards and payroll exports.
Can Chronicle support flexible or hybrid working?
Yes. Chronicle can handle flexitime, hybrid schedules, rotating shifts, and complex pay or overtime rules.
How are holidays and sickness managed?
Chronicle’s absence management module allows employees to request leave online and managers to approve via dashboard or email. Sickness records can include notes and attachments.
Can Chronicle calculate overtime automatically?
Yes. Overtime and shift premiums are calculated automatically based on your configured pay rules.
Can managers approve leave in the system?
Yes. Approvals are handled in-system with automatic notifications and full audit tracking.
Chronicle Access Control, Fire Reporting & Visitor Management
Does Chronicle include Access Control?
Yes. Chronicle includes a full Access Control system built on the same platform as Time & Attendance — one shared employee file, one support contact, and one access credential (card or fob). Chronicle controls doors, turnstiles, barriers, and gates, fully integrated with the T&A system.
How does Access Control integrate with Time & Attendance?
All access data feeds directly into attendance and payroll. If an employee forgets to clock out, Chronicle can automatically use door movement data to complete the time record, ensuring payroll accuracy.
Does Chronicle support Fire Reporting and Muster Management?
Yes. Chronicle provides live Fire Roll-Call and Muster Point Management. In an emergency, a Fire Report can be printed or accessed via the Chronicle Manager App, which shares live updates as roll-calls are completed across multiple managers.
Can Chronicle connect to Fire Panels?
Yes. Chronicle can integrate with site fire alarm panels to automatically trigger roll-calls and reports the moment an alarm is activated.
Is there a Visitor Management module?
Yes. Chronicle includes a Visitor Management module for pre-registration, sign-in/out tracking, and visitor badge printing. Visitors also appear in live fire reports for safety compliance.
Can Chronicle produce Fire Reports automatically?
Yes. Fire and evacuation reports can be printed at designated printers or viewed live within the Manager App, showing real-time data from Access Control and T&A systems.
Chronicle Payroll and Compliance
Which payroll systems does Chronicle integrate with?
Chronicle integrates directly with Shape Payroll, Xero Payroll, Staffology Payroll, and Cascade HR. Additional exports are available for other systems.
Does Chronicle support UK working time and pay compliance?
Yes. It tracks working hours, rest breaks, and public holidays for Working Time Directive compliance and accurate payroll processing.
Can Chronicle produce payroll exports?
Yes. Payroll-ready exports are generated by site, department, or pay group, eliminating manual calculations.
Is Chronicle GDPR compliant?
Yes. Chronicle is fully compliant with GDPR, offering encrypted storage, access controls, and audit trails.
Can it track right-to-work and certification expiry?
Yes. Chronicle alerts managers to upcoming expiries for right-to-work, visa, or training certifications.
Chronicle Performance & Development
Does Chronicle support performance reviews?
Yes. Chronicle’s HR module includes full appraisal tracking, letting you schedule reviews, record outcomes, and monitor development plans.
Can goals and KPIs be tracked?
Yes. Managers can assign, review, and measure goals and KPIs directly within employee records.
Chronicle Reporting & Analytics
What kind of reports are available?
Chronicle provides live dashboards and reports for attendance, absence, overtime, and compliance — all filterable by site, department, or employee.
Can I create and export custom reports?
Yes. Reports can be customised and exported to Excel, PDF, or CSV.
Does Chronicle offer real-time analytics?
Yes. Data updates instantly as employees clock in, move through access points, or complete shifts.
Chronicle API - Integration & Configuration
What systems integrate with Chronicle?
Chronicle integrates with Shape Payroll, Xero Payroll, Staffology Payroll, and Cascade HR. A secure API allows further integration with third-party systems.
Can Chronicle be customised?
Yes. Rules, shifts, workflows, and permissions are fully configurable, but the interface remains standardised for reliability.
Is company branding available?
No. Chronicle maintains a consistent interface without custom colours or logos to ensure clarity and performance.
Does Chronicle have an API?
Yes. Chronicle offers a documented API for secure data exchange with other platforms.
Chronicle Pricing & Contracts
How is Chronicle priced?
Chronicle is licensed per employee, with monthly and annual subscription options to suit your budget.
Are there setup costs?
Yes. A one-time setup fee covers configuration, training, and initial support.
Is there a minimum term?
Yes. Chronicle operates on a standard 12-month contract, renewed annually
Are updates or new features charged separately?
No. All updates and feature enhancements are included in your plan.
What happens if we cancel?
At contract end, we’ll provide a full data export and assist with offboarding. There are no exit penalties once your term concludes.
