Final answer:
The primary purpose of time cards is for payroll processing to calculate worker compensation based on hours worked, rather than for tracking attendance or monitoring productivity directly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary purpose of time cards in capturing the total time an individual worker spends on each production job is primarily for payroll processing. These cards provide a factual basis for calculating the hours worked by an employee, thereby determining their compensation accurately. Time cards also serve to promote accountability and adherence to the expected work schedules. While they might incidentally track attendance and monitor productivity, these are not their primary functions.
In an industrial or factory setting, time cards facilitate a system where employees are expected to work during designated hours. Upon arriving and leaving, workers "punch the clock," which records the exact times of their workday. This practice ensures that workers are compensated fairly for all the time that they work, including any overtime. It also allows the management to maintain a level of efficiency and productivity in the workforce by identifying patterns of tardiness or absenteeism that could affect the overall output of a manufacturing process.