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Clocking Modes and Lunch breaks

Chris Kartsakalis
  • Updated
Choosing between Simple and Complex clocking modes depends on your employee clocking process requirements. We have 3 usage scenarios:
  • Simple Mode
  • Complex Mode
  • Override
Simple Mode (Account Level):
  • Best suited when employees do not need to clock in/out for breaks.
  • Automatically applies the break rule defined in the work rule.
You can still assign Complex Mode to individual employees who are required to clock out then in for lunch:
  • In this mode, we deduct actual time clocked out.
  • Break rules are ignored entirely.
Complex Mode (Account Level):
  • Interprets all timesheet data into clocking pairs.
  • Requires an even number of clockings per day.
  • Ignores any break settings in the assigned work rule.
Assigning Simple Mode to specific employees (when account is set to Complex):
  • Ignores any mid-day clockings.
  • Applies the break rules from the work rule assigned to that day.
Override We also offer an override option that allows break rules to apply for employees set to Complex mode (at either the account or employee level). This changes how Complex mode behaves and is useful in the following scenario:
  • Employees only clock in and out once per day (start and end).
  • But regularly go off-site for appointments.
Important caveat: Employees must not take lunch while off-site, as the system will still apply the automatic break if their total worked hours exceed the break rule trigger.Example Scenario:
  • Break rule: Remove 0.5 hours after 5 hours worked.
  • Employee clocks in at 7:00 AM.
  • Clocks out at 12:00 PM for an appointment.
  • Takes lunch while out.
  • Clocks back in at 2:00 PM.
  • Clocks out at 3:00 PM.
Breakdown:
  • Worked hours: 6 hours
  • Off-site time: 2 hours
  • Break rule is triggered (6 hours > 5)
  • 0.5 hours are deducted
Result:
  • Paid hours: 5.5
  • Unpaid break time: 2.5 (2 hours off-site + 0.5 hour auto break)
This would lead to the employee being underpaid by 0.5 hours.
To avoid this, employees using this configuration must be informed not to take lunch while off-site. 

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