# How do I set up timesheets (entry mode, breaks, rounding and reminders)?

> Timesheets are turned on in Settings > Workflow > Features, then configured at Timesheets > Settings. There you choose whether crews enter total hours or time in / time out, set automatic breaks, pre-fill from the schedule, pick a rounding interval and set the reminder schedule.

- Product: WorkSkedge
- Section: Timesheets & Time Tracking
- Canonical: https://workskedge.com/help/timesheets/configure-timesheet-settings
- Updated: 2026-08-31T16:33:33.85253+00:00
- Source: TIMESHEET-SETTINGS.md, TIMESHEETS.md
- Keywords: timesheet settings, time entry mode, timesheet rounding, automatic breaks, timesheet reminders

## Steps

1. Open Settings > Workflow > Project & Work Order Rules > Features and enable Timesheets & Time Tracking.
2. Go to Timesheets > Settings and click Activate Timesheets, choosing the start date tracking begins.
3. On the General Settings tab, pick the entry mode: Hours, or Time In / Time Out.
4. Set break behaviour: automatic break entries, default break time and break work type.
5. Decide whether entries pre-fill hours from the schedule and default the work type.
6. Choose a rounding interval — 5, 10, 15 minutes or none.
7. Set the timesheet reminder schedule, and confirm recipients under Settings > Email Notifications.

## Turn timesheets on first

```text
Feature toggle: Settings > Workflow > Project & Work Order Rules > Features
Setting:        "Timesheets & Time Tracking"
Required:       Timesheets module in your plan + Administrator role
Settings page:  Timesheets > Settings  (Administrator or Manager)
```

Timesheets also need a **start date** — the date tracking begins. Until the feature is enabled and the start date has arrived, the settings page shows a "Timesheets Not Activated" banner with an **Activate Timesheets** button.

## General Settings

**Entry Mode** — how the crew logs time:

| Mode | What the employee does |
| --- | --- |
| **Hours** | Enters total hours per entry, e.g. 8 hours. Fast for regular schedules. |
| **Time In / Time Out** | Enters start and end times, e.g. 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Hours are calculated, overlaps are blocked, and the audit trail is exact. |

**Break Settings** — turn on *Automatically add break entries* and WorkSkedge handles breaks for the employee. In Time In / Time Out mode it inserts a separate break entry at the configured time; in Hours mode it pre-fills the day split around the break (4 hours, 30 min break, 4 hours). You also choose the default break time (12:00 by default) and the break work type. Break duration itself is read-only here — it comes from Business Profile settings.

**Pre-fill Hours** — pre-populates new entries from the employee's scheduled assignments. Turn it off if crews should start from a blank sheet.

**Pre-fill Work Type** — when on, entries default to Standard Labor (or the first work type in your list). When off, the employee must pick a work type before saving.

**Timesheet Rounding** — round entries to the nearest 5, 10 or 15 minutes, or no rounding. 15 minutes is the common choice: 8.17 hours (8h 10m) becomes 8.25 hours (8h 15m).

**Timesheet Reminders** — the schedule that nudges employees to submit. Who receives the emails and how they are delivered is set under Settings > Email Notifications.

**Data Management** — administrators only. Pick a cutoff date, click Preview to see how many timesheets and entries would be removed, then confirm by typing `DELETE`. This permanently deletes timesheet history and cannot be undone.

## What to set before your first payroll run

- Entry mode matching how your crews actually report time
- A rounding rule everyone agrees on (payroll disputes usually start here)
- Work types with the right multipliers — see [Timesheet work types, multipliers and billable hours](/help/timesheets/timesheet-work-types-and-overtime)
- Departments, if you group payroll by them, under Settings > Company > Departments

## Screenshots

- WorkSkedge Timesheet Settings General tab showing entry mode, break settings and pre-fill hours: https://workskedge.com/api/public/help-image/app/v2/timesheet-settings-general.webp

## FAQ

### Why does the settings page say Timesheets Not Activated?

The feature is enabled but tracking has not started. Click Activate Timesheets and choose the start date — employees are asked to submit timesheets from that date forward.

### Should I use Hours or Time In / Time Out?

Hours is quickest for crews on regular schedules. Time In / Time Out gives exact start and end times, calculates the hours for you and blocks overlapping entries, which is the better audit trail.

### Where do I change the break duration?

Break duration lives in Business Profile settings. The timesheet settings page shows it read-only alongside the break time and break work type.

### Can I delete old timesheet history?

Administrators can, using Data Management on the General Settings tab. Preview the cutoff first — the deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.