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A timesheet is a record of the hours an employee works during a specific period. Employers use timesheets to track time, calculate pay, and maintain accurate payroll records.
A timesheet is a record of the hours an employee works during a specific period, such as a day, week, or pay period. Employers use timesheets to help calculate wages, track overtime, and maintain accurate payroll records.
A timesheet may include an employee's start and end times, total hours worked, breaks, overtime, paid time off, and other information needed to process payroll. Depending on the workplace, employees may record their time on paper, through a time clock, or in an online time and attendance system.
Accurate timesheets are especially important for nonexempt employees because employers need to keep records of hours worked and pay overtime when required. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers are responsible for maintaining accurate time and pay records for covered employees.
Managers may review and approve timesheets before payroll is processed, but an approval process doesn't change the employer's responsibility to pay employees for all hours they are allowed or required to work. If a timesheet contains an error, employers should correct the record and make sure the employee is paid properly.
A timesheet commonly includes the employee's hours worked, start and end times, breaks, overtime, and paid time off. It may also include job codes, departments, projects, or other information the employer uses for payroll and reporting.
Timesheets help employers calculate pay accurately, identify overtime, track attendance, and maintain required wage and hour records. They also give employees and managers a way to review recorded hours before payroll is finalized.
They may. Employers may require salaried employees to track time for reasons such as project reporting, attendance, leave tracking, or client billing. Timekeeping requirements can vary depending on the employee's classification and the employer's policies.
An employer still has to pay employees for compensable time worked. Employers can require employees to follow timekeeping procedures and address missed or inaccurate timesheets, but payroll records should be corrected so the employee is paid properly.