The Metal KV and its challenges

The collective agreement for the metalworking industry presents companies with enormous challenges - from complex Working time regulations shift models through to the correct Travel expense report. With modern HR software such as Personnel cloud the requirements of the metalworkers' collective agreement can be mapped efficiently, legally compliant and automated. This article shows how you can master your HR processes digitally and save time and resources at the same time.

1. why the metalworking agreement places special demands on companies

The Metal industry collective agreement includes an above-average number of regulations on Working time models, Overtime bonuses, Shift services, Travel allowances and Absence types. While many other KVs limit themselves to framework conditions, the Metall-KV goes its own way - which leads to a high degree of individualization in the Personnel administration leads.

2. time recording: what the metalworking contract actually requires

The Time tracking in accordance with the metalworking industry code of practice must do far more than simply record comings and goings. This includes:

• Precise recording of shift times
• Consideration of Flexitime framework and Core times
• Calculation of overtime and extra hours including surcharges
• Automatic identification of non-working days, Holidays and Weekends
• Differentiation between normal working hours and On-call service

Only one Modern HR software can meet all these requirements flexibly and legally compliant mapping - without manual post-processing.

3. surcharge and allowance regulations: Automation as the key to reducing workload

A central element of the Metal KV are the Surcharges. These apply, among other things, to:

Type of surcharge	Condition	Typical sentence
General overtime premium		+50 %
Night work	Work between 20:00 - 06:00	+100 %
Work on Sundays and public holidays	On public holidays or Sundays	+100 %
Overtime	From the 3rd overtime hour and after 19:00	+100 %
Shift allowance	Depending on the company agreement	individual

It is virtually impossible to calculate this automatically and correctly without software. Personnel cloud automatically recognizes time types and calculation bases - depending on the Shift plan, Company agreement and the applicable CT.

4. individually map flexitime models

Flexitime is widespread in the metal industry, but is implemented in different ways:

• Fixed Flexitime framework (e.g. 06:00-19:00)
• Daily or weekly Normal working hours
• Block times with compulsory attendance
• Limitation of the Time credit or obligation to compensate time

With a KV-compatible solution such as Personnel cloud these rules can not only be mapped digitally, but also actively controlled - e.g. through automatic notifications if they are exceeded or undercut.

5. shift planning & time accounts in the metalworkers' collective agreement: dynamic instead of static

Industrial companies often rely on Alternating shift models or continuous operation. Associated with this are:

• Different shift cycles
• Individual break arrangements
• Entitlement to shift allowances
• Special regulations for night shifts

Manual planning of such models is prone to errors. HR software offers integrated functions for the Shift planning and takes into account all relevant surcharges. Employees' time accounts are updated in real time - . Transparent and comprehensible.

6. project and activity time recording in an industrial environment

Many metalworking companies require a Project-related working time recording - for post-calculation or for subsidy statements, for example. A modern solution allows:

• Allocation of times to projects or orders
• Recording activities with just a few clicks
• Evaluation according to cost centers, orders or customers

This not only creates Cost transparencybut also relieves the burden on accounting and project management.

7. correctly record and account for expenses and travel costs

Travel expense report in the metal industry means more than just a daily allowance and mileage allowance. The collective agreement contains Specific regulations to:

• Domestic and foreign rates
• Staggering of meal allowances
• Overnight stay flat rates with or without receipt
• Combination of locations in one day

Personnel cloud allows the complete recording including digital receipt upload, Approval workflow and automatic calculation of the daily allowances - including valuation in line with the collective agreement.

8. correctly manage absences & special leave in the metalworking contract

The Metall-KV also regulates special forms of Absencefor example:

• Educational leave
• Family hospice leave
• Time off during shutdown
• Special vacations for family events

Correctly documenting and accounting for these absences requires a finely tuned system. Personnel cloud offers predefined absence types with automatic rules and Approval processes.

9. digital workflows: From time recording to payroll preparation

The greatest efficiency gains are achieved when All HR processes digitalized end-to-end are. These include:

• Time booking → Time evaluation → Billing
• Travel expense report → Check → Payment
• Vacation request → Approval → Calendar update

Personnel cloud combines all these steps in one system and thus ensures Maximum transparency and efficiency.

10. interfaces to payroll accounting in the metalworking contract - no more media disruptions

The Integration with payroll accounting systems is crucial to avoid double entries and transmission errors. Personalwolke offers:

• Interfaces to BMD, RZL, SAP and much more.
• Exports in KV-compliant format
• Automatic data transfer for wage types, bonuses, absences

This saves time, avoids errors and creates Legal certainty.

11. data protection & legal certainty - GDPR-compliant at all levels

Especially in the area of Personnel processing data protection is essential. That's why Personalwolke:

• GDPR-compliant
• Hosted in certified data centers in Austria
• With Roles & rights concepts equipped

Access rights can be set individually for departments, roles and locations.

12th time recording terminal: Ideal for industry, production & logistics

In many industrial companies - especially in the manufacturing industry, in the Assembly, Logistics, Maintenance or Workshops - employees do not have regular access to a PC or mobile app. In these cases, a stationary Time tracking terminal the ideal solution.

Advantages of a time recording terminal:

• Immediate booking of coming/going/breaks directly on site
• Simple operation via NFC card, PIN or Fingerprint
• Live transmission the data to the central time recording system
• Robustly built for use in dusty or humid production environments
• Can be easily installed at production lines, entrances or changing rooms

Personnel cloud offers seamless integration of Hardware terminals into the existing HR software. This means that bookings via the terminal are immediately visible in the systemcan be used with Surcharges, Shift models and Absences combined - and are therefore 100 % Metal KV compatible.

For whom is this particularly relevant?

• Industrial companies with shift work
• Production companies with several locations or halls
• Logistics centers with changing operating times
• Field or service staff (e.g. in maintenance)

Straight in the metal industrywhere work is often done in multiple shifts and Correct time bookings are also legally relevant, a time recording terminal is not only practical - it is almost indispensable.

13. industries that are typically subject to the metalworking agreement

The metal collective agreement applies to a Large number of companies and sectors within industrial production and processing. In these areas in particular, the Correct time recording and personnel management particularly critical - for example, due to high shift density, surcharge regulations or extensive travel activities.

Typical industries that are subject to the Metal CBA are:

• Mechanical and plant engineering
• Automotive supply industry
• Small and medium-sized metalworking companies
• Electrical and control engineering
• Steel and sheet metal processing
• Aviation supply industry
• Production-related IT & mechatronics companies

In these sectors, the Digitization of HR processes is no longer a luxury, but a prerequisite for efficient, legally compliant and employee-friendly to be able to work.

HR software is the key to successful implementation of the Metal KV

The implementation of the Metal collective agreement is hardly economically viable today without digital support. Specialized HR software such as Personnel cloud supports you in this:

• Time tracking, Travel expenses and Personnel administration efficiently
• Legally compliant to act
• Reduce costs
• And make your employees happier

Now is the right timeto lead your HR processes into the future.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about Metal KV and HR software

What is special about the collective agreement for metalworkers in Austria?

The metalworking agreement not only regulates wages, but also working time models, bonuses, absences and travel expenses down to the last detail. This complexity makes it particularly challenging to implement.

How can HR software help with the implementation of the metalworking agreement?

Modern HR software automates time evaluation, bonus calculation and expense accounting according to KV logic, thus reducing manual effort and sources of error.

Which surcharges have to be taken into account in the metalworking agreement?

Supplements for night work, public holiday work, overtime and shift allowances are mandatory and must be accounted for correctly.

How does digital travel expense accounting work in the metalworking industry?

Employees record their business trips digitally, upload receipts and the system automatically calculates daily and overnight allowances - in line with the collective agreement.

Is the use of HR software mandatory?

No - but necessary in practice in order to manage the complexity of the metalworking contract efficiently, correctly and in compliance with the law.

Can the software also map individual company agreements?

Yes, Personalwolke can be flexibly configured and also takes into account company-specific regulations in addition to the collective agreement.