For one large U.S. retailer, manager requests in UKG had become a growing burden—simple actions like approving PTO, accessing timecards, or responding to scheduling questions consumed more time than expected. Despite having UKG in place, the way manager requests in UKG were handled required constant manual input, multiple logins, and frequent HR intervention.

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The organization needed to streamline these interactions without disrupting its existing HCM setup. The answer came in the form of CloudApper hrPad, an AI-powered, tablet-based solution that brought automation, customization, and self-service directly to the punch screen—simplifying manager tasks and improving workforce efficiency.

The Challenge: Too Much Time on Routine Manager Tasks

Managers were expected to lead teams, yet much of their time was spent answering:

  • “Can I see my PTO balance?”

  • “Did I clock out correctly?”

  • “When is my next shift?”

  • “Can you fix my missed punch?”

These routine manager requests—though small—added up quickly. Accessing UKG for each task was time-consuming, especially on the store floor where responsiveness matters. HR teams, too, were overwhelmed by repetitive employee queries.

Manager Request in UKG while custominzing punch screen

The result? Delays in approvals, errors in timekeeping, and growing frustration across departments.

The Strategy: Extend UKG, Don’t Replace It

CloudApper hrPad didn’t aim to replace UKG. Instead, it extended its usability by offering a more intuitive, task-specific interface for managers and employees—deployed on tablets the organization already owned.

With hrPad, the organization gained:

  • Customized punch screens with built-in prompts and attestation questions

  • Self-service access to timecards, schedules, PTO balances, and shift data

  • Automation of missed punch logging and PTO approvals

  • A 24/7 AI assistant trained on company-specific HR data

  • Integrated job referral features and announcement delivery

All of this, while continuing to use UKG as the core HCM system.

The Power of Custom Punch Screens

Using CloudApper’s no-code platform, the company fully customized the punch experience to reflect its unique operational and compliance needs. The punch screen became more than just a time capture tool—it became a central hub for workforce interaction.

Key enhancements included:

  • Attestation questions during clock-outs (e.g., “Did you take your scheduled break?”)

  • Shift-specific prompts, reminders, and compliance alerts

  • Real-time job transfers and cost center selection

  • Facial recognition authentication to eliminate buddy punching

  • Display of important announcements upon clock-in

These changes empowered employees to manage their own needs, while drastically reducing the volume of manager intervention.

The Results: Faster Requests, Stronger Compliance, Lower Costs

Once CloudApper hrPad was fully deployed, the impact was immediate:

  • 68.5% drop in routine HR questions from employees

  • 75% cost savings compared to traditional time clocks

  • Fewer payroll errors thanks to real-time punch validation

  • Improved compliance through automated attestations and break tracking

Manager requests in UKG that once took minutes were handled instantly—or avoided entirely—thanks to self-service functionality. HR teams were freed up to focus on strategic tasks. And employees got the clarity and control they needed right from the punch screen.

Redefining Manager Requests in UKG

This transformation didn’t require a new HCM. It required a smarter interface.

CloudApper hrPad made manager requests in UKG faster, simpler, and more reliable—without disrupting the backend. With complete flexibility to customize workflows, add compliance logic, and automate responses, hrPad became the tool managers didn’t know they needed but now can’t operate without.

Conclusion

For organizations struggling with inefficient manager workflows, CloudApper hrPad offers a proven path forward. By combining the power of custom punch screen design with UKG integration, it removes friction from daily operations and brings modern, AI-driven efficiency to the frontline.