Timekeeping

A Timekeeping policy sets clear expectations for accurately recording all time worked (including meal and rest breaks, remote or off-site work, and any other compensable time), correcting missed punches promptly, and prohibiting off-the-clock work or falsified records so your organization can pay employees correctly, maintain required wage and hour records, and comply with jurisdiction-specific rules.

How to Write a Timekeeping Policy

• Start with "why" and introduce the concept.
• Define who must track time and what time must be recorded.
• Explain the basic points in the workday when employees must record time.
• Set the expectation that time entries must reflect actual time worked and required break time.
• Describe how employees correct missed or inaccurate punches and submit time records.
• Prohibit off-the-clock work and falsifying time records, and state that violations may lead to discipline.
• Address rules for working off-site or from home and require accurate tracking of remote work time.
• Explain how employees report pay or timekeeping concerns and include a non-retaliation commitment.

For advice on writing a Timekeeping policy in a specific jurisdiction, see below.