Time sheets are an important communication tool for employers and employees. They help ensure an accurate time record so that employees are paid correctly for their work. Keeping detailed time records is required by legislation and helps prevent any misunderstanding.
Records must include time when the employee was required or permitted to work and be at the employer's disposal. Time includes hours and part of an hour.
Here’s what to include in timesheets:
Basic Employee Information
- Employee Name: Full name of the employee.
- Position: Job title of the employee.
Date and Time Details
- Date: The specific date for each entry (e.g., daily entries).
- Day of the Week: Day corresponding to the date (e.g., Monday, Tuesday, etc.).
- Start Time: Time when the employee begins work.
- End Time: Time when the employee finishes work.
- Meal Break Start/End Time: Time when the employee starts and ends any meal breaks (any employee working 5 hours or more must be given at least one 30-minute unpaid meal break)
- Total Time Worked: Total time worked each day (excluding breaks) and each week.
- Overtime: Hours worked beyond the standard workday or workweek that qualify for overtime pay.
Additional Information (Optional)
- Illness or Injury time off: Time taken off due to sickness/injury.
- Vacation Time: Time has taken off for vacation.
- Public Holiday Pay: Time worked on a public holiday.
- Notes/Comments: Any additional information or notes, such as the reason for overtime or unusual shift patterns.
Approval Section
- Employee Signature: Signature of the employee to verify the accuracy of the hours worked.
- Supervisor Signature: Signature of the supervisor to approve the time worked or at the disposal of the employer.
- Date of Approval: Date when the timesheet was approved by the supervisor.