timesheets

Timesheets are records used to track the amount of time an individual spends on tasks, projects, or activities. They are used for payroll, project accounting, invoicing, and workforce management. Traditional timesheets were paper forms completed by employees and submitted for supervisor approval; modern timesheets are electronic or digital, often part of payroll or HRIS systems.

Contents typically include date, hours worked, regular vs. overtime, project or task codes, and sometimes breaks, leave, or attendance. Many systems support multiple entries per day and configurable rules such as rounding, overtime thresholds, and approved leave. Data can be collected via manual entry, punch clocks, or automatic tracking (start/stop timers, integration with time-tracking devices).

Workflow often includes submission by the employee, supervisor approval, and payroll processing or client invoicing. For service firms, timesheets enable cost allocation and client billing; for employers, they support wage calculation and compliance with labor laws.

Types include paper timesheets, spreadsheet templates, and electronic timesheets administered by cloud-based software or on-premises applications. Features of modern timesheets include mobile access, reminders, audit trails, and integrations with payroll, accounting, and project management tools.

Common challenges include accuracy, time theft (punching in for others), errors in coding, and inadequate audits. Best practices include clear policies, routine audits, secure authentication, and enforcement of approvals. Privacy and data protection considerations arise with personal work-hour data.

Timesheets are widely used across industries, from manufacturing and construction to professional services and IT.