Wireless time attendance system and method

A method for tracking and communicating worker time and attendance data associated with workers assigned to a remote worksite, comprising the steps of:

• providing a portable time and attendance tracking device at the remote worksite comprising a portable housing, a primary battery disposed within the housing, a second battery disposed within the housing, a main unit at least partially disposed within the housing, an electronic controller, an electronic memory, and a communications module for transmitting and receiving data via a wireless communications network, and an electronic time clock at least partially disposed within the housing and in electronic communication with the main unit comprising a user interface for entering worker time attendance data, an internal clock, and an electronic controller;
• receiving on the electronic time clock time and attendance data for a worker;
• storing the time and attendance data for the worker on the electronic memory of the electronic time and attendance clock;
• the main unit periodically querying the electronic time and attendance clock according to a pre-established schedule to determine if new worker time and attendance data has been stored on the electronic memory of the electronic time and attendance clock;
• only if there is worker time and attendance data since a prior transmission, transmitting the new worker time and attendance data to a remote computer via a wireless network according to the pre-established schedule in order to conserve primary battery power;
• and
• using power from the second battery to only power the electronic time clock to receive and store worker time and attendance data when sufficient power is not available from the primary battery.