Work Categories
Categorize work time with time factors for accurate tracking
Work Categories allow you to classify different types of work with associated time factors. This is useful for tracking different work modes like overtime, on-call time, training, or travel time.
Overview
A Work Category includes:
- Name - Descriptive label (e.g., "Overtime", "Travel", "Training")
- Time Factor - Multiplier for hours worked (0.5x to 2.0x)
- Color - Visual identifier in calendars and reports
Time Factors
Time factors adjust how hours are counted:
| Factor | Description | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5x | Half-time credit | Standby/on-call time |
| 1.0x | Standard time | Normal work hours |
| 1.25x | Quarter overtime | Evening work |
| 1.5x | Time and a half | Weekend work |
| 2.0x | Double time | Holiday work |
Time factors affect hour calculations in reports and overtime tracking. An employee working 4 hours at 1.5x factor would be credited with 6 hours.
Work Category Sets
Categories are organized into sets that can be assigned to different parts of your organization.
Creating a Category Set
Go to Settings → Work Categories
Click "Create Category Set"
Enter a set name (e.g., "Standard Categories", "Shift Work Categories")
Add categories to the set:
- Click "Add Category"
- Enter name, time factor, and color
- Repeat for each category
Click "Save"
Default Categories
New category sets include these default categories:
| Category | Factor | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | 1.0x | Standard work hours |
| Overtime | 1.5x | Hours beyond standard schedule |
| Holiday | 2.0x | Work on public holidays |
Category Assignment Hierarchy
Like Work Policies, category sets follow a hierarchical assignment:
Organization Default
↓
Team Override (optional)
↓
Employee Override (optional)Setting Organization Default
- Go to Settings → Work Categories
- Find the category set
- Click "Set as Organization Default"
Assigning to Teams or Employees
- Go to the team or employee settings
- Find the Work Categories section
- Select a category set
- Save changes
Using Categories in Time Tracking
When Clocking In/Out
- Start a time entry as normal
- Optionally select a work category
- The category applies to that time entry
Manual Time Entries
- Create or edit a time entry
- Select the applicable category from the dropdown
- Hours are calculated with the category's time factor
Changing Categories on Existing Entries
- Go to the time entry
- Click "Edit"
- Change the category
- Save - the calculated hours update automatically
Reports with Categories
Work categories appear in reports:
- Time Tracking Reports - Hours broken down by category
- Overtime Reports - See overtime vs regular hours
- Payroll Exports - Category factors applied to hour totals
Filtering by Category
- Go to any report
- Use the Category filter
- Select one or more categories
- View filtered results
Best Practices
- Keep it simple - Start with a few essential categories
- Use clear names - Categories should be self-explanatory
- Consistent factors - Use the same factors across teams when possible
- Train employees - Ensure everyone knows which category to use when
- Review usage - Periodically check if categories are being used correctly