Worktime

Worktime is the period during which an employee is available to perform work for an employer. It typically begins when the employee clocks in or is assigned to start duties and ends when they clock out or finish their shift. Depending on legal and contractual terms, worktime may include only paid hours, or it may also encompass certain forms of overtime and on-call time. Breaks and meal periods are often excluded from worktime for compensation purposes, though some jurisdictions treat some breaks as paid time.

Measurement and administration of worktime commonly uses time-tracking systems, timesheets, or attendance records. Employers may record start and end times, break lengths, and overtime to calculate wages, compliance with labor standards, and payroll. Accurate worktime accounting supports budgeting, staffing, and productivity analysis while helping workers verify pay and rights.

Legal and regulatory frameworks for worktime vary by country and region. Most jurisdictions regulate maximum daily and weekly hours, required rest breaks, and overtime compensation. These rules may differ for full-time, part-time, and temporary workers, and they may exclude certain professions or industries. International bodies such as the International Labour Organization provide guidelines, but national laws are the primary authority.

Modern work environments have expanded the concept of worktime to include flexible and remote arrangements, shift work, and compressed workweeks. Trends in monitoring and data privacy have raised concerns about surveillance and worker rights. Effective worktime management aims to balance productivity with health, safety, and fair compensation.