Log sheets can seem intimidating to some, especially when they are new. Overall, being asked to fill out a piece of paper for a task can seem overwhelming and even trivial. The truth is log sheets are important documents. Whether you are utilizing a log sheet to sign in and out or to make sure that your financial records are correct, there are a few important things to learn about log sheets before using them.
What Is a Log Sheet?
A log sheet is a document that you utilize for some type of record keeping. The more thorough these are, the better the log sheet is. These can be used for a variety of reasons, such as
- Keeping track of employee attendance
- Keeping track of financial records
- Logging employee hours and time-cards
- Materials checked in and out
These are only a few of the reasons why you might seek to utilize a log sheet.
What Is a Log Sheet Template?
A log sheet template is a blank sheet in which you will plug in the information you need the log sheet utilized for. For instance, you can utilize a downloaded template and plugin your information, or you could simply use an Excel document. You can change these templates to include whatever would be necessary for your needs. Most of these templates are fully editable and can include places for times, dates, signatures, and other anecdotal notes as needed.
Essential Elements of a Log Sheet
While every log sheet is different, there are a few components that all log sheets should include for the sake of good record keeping:
- Title: While this might seem odd, a title is necessary as you need to make sure you are quickly able to identify what you are looking at when you pull and file the log sheets.
- Date: Allowing there to be a place for the date allows for a better organizational system. It also helps you to check your records if something were to ever be questioned.
- Time: This indicates the exact time of day and can be used for precision.
- Who is performing the task: By including this, you can see who is pulling the load within your company.
- Recommendations and Remarks: This area is necessary for anecdotal data and can help you or your employees keep track of miscellaneous information.
Log Sheet Templates and Examples
Making a Log Sheet Template
The easiest way to make a log sheet template is to utilize an Excel document. These document formats can be turned into tables, making it easier to even out the different columns of information you need. One can also use a word processor to create these templates by using the table format. You need to make sure that you include all of your necessary data.
Why Use a Log Sheet Template?
Using a log sheet has several benefits. First and foremost, it keeps your employees accountable. Secondly, it provides you with records of what is happening within your business. These records can be used not only for record-keeping but also in the instance that there is ever a question about an occurrence within your business. These are legal documents that can be used in many situations.
Types of Log Sheet Templates
There are various types of log sheet templates on the market. Some of these may include:
- Event sign-ups: Event sign-ups are great when you are holding a large event and various people in your company need to bring something. This helps make sure they are not duplicating things.
- Activity log sheets: These sheets can help you to see how long a task takes or who is doing the tasks.
- Hours log: These log sheets are utilized to track employees’ hours worked so that you can accurately run their paychecks.
And these are just a few of the many templates you can use!
Service Learning Time Log Sheet Template
Food Nutrition Log Template
Daily Action
A free daily log sheet template is used to track the routines of an employee. It serves to record and evaluate the productivity of an employee. A daily log sheet template is essential in monitoring the amount of time one takes to complete a task. In addition, it serves to eliminate idleness and unproductive ventures in the workstations.
Drive Time
Blank Case Log Sheet
Printable Work Log Sheets Template
A log sheet template in PDF is a file format that electronically provides the duly filled activities. The activities done are sent to different personnel or viewed in the form intended.
For Documents
Activity Log Sheet Template
Customizable Log Sheet for Various Small Business
A blank log sheet is a yet-to-be-filled log sheet. It is the basis on which all activities get filled once they are complete. It contains all the entries about the type of business. Such as start time, stop time, and breaks taken.
Daily Work
Risk Log Excel Sheet
Mileage
Radio Station Log Sheet
Daily Reading
Defect Tracking
Medication Disposal
Document for Action
Phone Call Log Sheet Form Template
Food Diary Log Sheet Template
Consultant Work Log Sheet Template
Job Search Log Sheet Template
Employee Training
For Exercise
FAQs
When to Use a Log Sheet?
Log sheets can be used to keep track of anything from expenses to incidents that occur in the workplace. Anything that needs to be kept track of for legal purposes can be turned into a log sheet. A log sheet is an effective way to keep records, especially those that will require a chronological log.
What makes an effective log sheet?
An effective log sheet allows you to log a time, a date, a place to keep anecdotal notes, and places for any other information that might be required. For example, a log sheet that is utilized to check in items might require a signature or the name of the person checking the item in. The more information that you can provide on a log sheet, the more effective the log sheet will be for your record keeping.
What is a daily log sheet?
​​​​​​​A daily log sheet is a log sheet that catalogs daily occurrences. These are mostly used in financial situations for bookkeeping and accounting functions. These can also be used to signing in and out financial statements and records.
What is a time log?
A time log keeps track of an employee’s extra hours that they work. You can use these to log a regular work schedule, as well, but these are mostly used for logging the extra time that an employee spends outside of work doing things for the company. They are usually used to track extra hours in training or driving between locations. This is useful in situations where a normal time clock might not be available.
Conclusion
Log sheets may seem redundant, but they are an important record-keeping tool that companies used to keep track of all things. These can be used as legal documentation, or they simply are used for internal record keeping. No matter why you use a log sheet, these are extremely important to the daily functions of a company or business. As long are you correctly and effectively utilize log sheets, you will find your company records better for it.
