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How do I round punch-in and punch-out times?

This article will show you how to set up rounding for your punch-in and punch-out times.

 

 

Time Tracking & Rounding Logic

To ensure payroll accuracy and precise project costing, our system distinguishes between Start/End of Shift actions and Mid-Day Transitions. Rounding rules are applied selectively based on the specific button a user selects.

Key Logic Principles

  • The "Bookend" Rule: Rounding applies only to the initial Punch In and the final Punch Out of the workday. These are treated as the boundaries of your shift and are subject to company-wide rounding settings.

  • Continuous Flow: To prevent gaps or overlapping minutes in your timeline, mid-day project transitions remain unrounded.

  • Action-Based Recording: The system determines whether to round based on the button pushed:

    • Punch In/Out: Triggers rounding logic.

    • Switch Project: Records the exact timestamp to maintain a seamless timeline.

Example Scenario

Action Actual Time System Recording Logic Applied
Punch In (Start Shift) 7:58 AM 8:00 AM Rounded (Shift Start)
Switch to Project B 10:14 AM 10:14 AM Exact (Continuous Flow)
Switch to Project C 1:37 PM 1:37 PM Exact (Continuous Flow)
Punch Out (End Shift) 5:01 PM 5:00 PM Rounded (Shift End)

Important Distinction

Note: If a worker chooses to "Punch Out" of a project and then "Punch In" to a new one (rather than using the "Switch Project" button), the system will treat these as shift boundaries and apply rounding to both actions. To maintain a gap-free, real-time record for project costing, the Switch Project button should be used when a worker is changing projects in the same day.

All rounding increments (e.g., 5, 10, or 15 minutes) are governed by your specific Round Punch Times (to the minute)  configuration in Timekeeping Settings.

 

Follow these steps to set up time rounding when workers punch-in and punch-out:

Step 1: Go to "Timekeeping" from the left side menu. Then click "Settings" in the top right.

Screen Shot 2023-03-03 at 3.43.16 PM

Step 2:  In the section "Round Punch Times (to the minute)" you can enter in the interval of time that you want the punch-in and punch-out times to round to. By default, the punch-in times are rounded up and the punch-out times are rounded up.

Example: If you enter 15 minutes and a worker punches in at 7:03am, their time will round up to 7:15am. If that worker punches out at 4:39pm, their time will round down to 4:30.

Screen Shot 2023-03-05 at 10.00.37 AM

Step 3 (NEW & Optional): You can click on "Round in Either Direction" to have the times round to the nearest time interval without the time rounding down on punch-in and rounding up on punch-out. 

Example: If this setting is clicked on and you have your round punch times set to 15, it will round to the nearest 15 minute interval. If a worker punches in at 7:08am, it will round to 7:15am. If a worker punches out at 4:39pm, it will round to 4:45pm.