Time Tracking¶
Know Who’s Working, Where, and When.
4Geeks Payroll provides enterprise-grade time tracking that adapts to your workforce—whether they’re in the office, remote, or in the field. Eliminate manual timesheets, reduce errors, and ensure compliance with automated tracking.
Clock In/Out Methods¶
GPS-Validated Mobile Clock-In¶
Perfect for remote and field teams. Employees check in via the mobile app with location verification.
How it works:
- Employee opens the 4Geeks Payroll mobile app
- Taps “Clock In”
- System captures GPS coordinates
- Validates location against approved zones (optional)
- Records timestamp and location
- Clock-out follows the same process
Features:
- Geofencing: Define approved work zones (office, client sites, project locations)
- Location History: View clock-in/out locations on a map
- Offline Mode: Clock in/out even without internet—syncs when connection is restored
- Photo Verification: Optional selfie capture during clock-in for additional validation
Entrance App (Biometric/PIN Check-In)¶
Turn any tablet at your office entrance into a professional check-in station.
Setup:
- Install the Entrance App on any Android/iOS tablet
- Mount it at your office entrance
- Link it to your 4Geeks Payroll account
- Configure check-in method
Check-in methods:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Face ID | Biometric facial recognition for touchless check-in |
| PIN Code | 4-6 digit personal identification code |
| RFID Card | Physical access card tap |
Benefits:
- Professional “Silicon Valley” lobby experience
- Eliminates buddy punching
- Instant sync with Employee Stream
- Hardware-fixed to prevent tampering
Manual Entry (With Approval)¶
For situations where automated tracking isn’t feasible.
- Employees submit hours manually
- Manager approval required
- Full audit trail maintained
- Useful for retroactive corrections
Timesheet Management¶
Automated Timesheet Generation¶
The system automatically generates timesheets based on clock-in/out data:
- Daily Timesheets: View hours worked each day
- Weekly Timesheets: Aggregated weekly totals
- Monthly Timesheets: Complete monthly summary for payroll
Timesheet Approval Workflow¶
- Employee Submission: Employees review and submit timesheets
- Manager Review: Managers receive notifications for approval
- Corrections: Managers can request corrections or approve
- Final Approval: Approved timesheets lock for payroll processing
Overtime Tracking¶
Configure overtime rules to match your local labor laws:
| Rule Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Daily Overtime | Hours worked beyond 8 hours per day |
| Weekly Overtime | Hours worked beyond 40 hours per week |
| Weekend/Holiday | Premium rates for weekend or holiday work |
| Custom Rules | Define your own overtime thresholds |
Overtime approval:
- Automatic calculation based on configured rules
- Manager approval workflow
- Integration with payroll reports
- Compliance with local labor regulations
Real-Time Visibility¶
Live Dashboard¶
Monitor your workforce in real time:
| Metric | Description |
|---|---|
| Currently Working | Number of employees clocked in right now |
| Late Arrivals | Employees who clocked in after scheduled start |
| Early Departures | Employees who clocked out before scheduled end |
| Absent Today | Employees with no clock-in recorded |
| On Break | Employees currently on break |
Attendance Reports¶
Generate comprehensive attendance reports:
- Daily Attendance: Who worked, when, and for how long
- Absence Report: Track sick days, vacation, and unpaid leave
- Tardiness Report: Identify patterns of late arrivals
- Overtime Report: Monitor overtime hours and costs
Alerts and Notifications¶
Configure automated alerts:
- Missed Clock-In: Notify managers when employees don’t clock in
- Overtime Warning: Alert when employees approach overtime thresholds
- Geofence Violation: Alert when clock-in occurs outside approved zones
- Break Duration: Alert when breaks exceed allowed duration
Configuration¶
Working Hours Setup¶
- Go to Settings → Time Tracking → Working Hours
- Define standard working hours:
- Fixed Schedule: Same hours every day (e.g., 9 AM - 5 PM)
- Flexible Schedule: Core hours with flexible start/end
- Shift Work: Multiple shifts with different schedules
- Configure break policies:
- Paid Breaks: Short breaks included in work time
- Unpaid Breaks: Lunch breaks deducted from work time
- Break Duration: Minimum and maximum break lengths
Time Zone Management¶
For global teams spanning multiple time zones:
- Employee Time Zone: Each employee has their own time zone
- Reporting Time Zone: Consolidate reports in a single time zone
- Automatic Conversion: System handles time zone conversions
- Daylight Saving: Automatic adjustment for DST changes
Approval Settings¶
Configure approval workflows:
- Timesheet Approval: Define who approves timesheets (direct manager, department head)
- Overtime Approval: Require approval before or after overtime is worked
- Correction Approval: Define who can approve timesheet corrections
- Escalation Rules: Auto-escalate if approvals are delayed
Integration with Payroll¶
HR Intelligence Reports¶
At the end of each pay cycle, time tracking data feeds into HR Intelligence Reports:
- Total Hours Worked: Regular and overtime hours
- Break Deductions: Unpaid break time automatically deducted
- Overtime Premiums: Calculated based on configured rules
- Absence Tracking: Paid and unpaid leave recorded
Export Formats¶
Export time tracking data for your local payroll provider:
- CSV: Spreadsheet format for custom processing
- PDF: Formatted reports for documentation
- API Integration: Direct integration with payroll systems
Best Practices¶
For Administrators¶
- Set Clear Policies: Document time tracking expectations and share with employees
- Configure Geofences: Define approved work locations for GPS validation
- Review Reports Weekly: Catch issues early before payroll processing
- Automate Reminders: Set up automated reminders for missed clock-ins
- Train Employees: Ensure everyone understands how to use the system
For Employees¶
- Clock In/Out Consistently: Make it a habit to clock in at start and out at end
- Check Location: Ensure GPS is enabled and accurate before clocking in
- Submit Timesheets On Time: Review and submit timesheets before deadlines
- Report Issues Immediately: Notify managers of any clock-in/out problems
Troubleshooting¶
Employee Can’t Clock In¶
- Check GPS is enabled on the device
- Verify internet connection (or offline mode is available)
- Ensure employee is within geofence (if configured)
- Check employee account is active
Incorrect Hours on Timesheet¶
- Review clock-in/out timestamps
- Check for missed clock-outs
- Verify break deductions are correct
- Submit correction request if needed
Entrance App Not Working¶
- Verify tablet is connected to internet
- Check app is linked to correct 4Geeks account
- Restart the Entrance App
- Contact support if issue persists
Next Steps¶
Still questions? Ask on Discord or explore tutorials