Time clock rules

Build your policies into the time clock, and the day runs the way you expect.

Require a job and a shift note, restrict clock-ins to the published schedule, and decide what happens when a punch comes from an unrecognized location. Employees see the rules at the clock, so there is less to correct at payroll.

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Required at the clock

You decide what every time entry has to include.

Pick a jobAt clock-inRequired
Apex Tower, Costa MesaAPX-12
Harbor Mall, Huntington BeachHM-31
Clock in

Require employees to pick a job at clock-in

When active jobs exist, the clock waits until one is chosen, so every entry is tied to the right work.

Shift noteAt clock-outRequired
What did you work on?Deep clean, lobby wind
Clock out

Collect a shift note at clock-out

Employees describe what they worked on when clocking out from their own account.

Custom fieldsOn the time entryYour fields
Mileage12.4 mi
Equipment usedFloor scrubber
Fields you created, filled at the clock

Add custom fields when a note is not enough

Define your own fields and employees fill them in on the time entry you review.

When and where

You decide when and where employees can clock in.

Schedule windowTuesday 7:41 AM
8:00 AM · Opening shiftClock-in opens 7:50 AM · 10 min early allowed
Clock-in opens 7:50 AM
Clock-out is never restricted

Limit clock-ins to scheduled shifts

Published shifts control when employees can clock in, with the early window you allow.

No shift scheduledYour call
Block clock-in without a shiftOn while the restriction is on
No shift todayClock-in refused
Turn it off to allow unscheduled clock-ins

Block clock-ins with no scheduled shift, or allow them

On by default while the schedule restriction is on; turn it off to allow unscheduled work.

Location checkEvery clock-in
AllowWarnBlock
Unrecognized locationClocked in with a warning on the entry
Checked against your geolocation, IP, and browser methods

Allow, warn, or block unrecognized clock-in locations

When no geolocation, IP address, or browser method matches the punch, you pick the response.

Live time clock rules demo

Watch one clock-in become a payroll-ready entry.

Open the three screens behind one punch: the clock-in that asks for a job, the published schedule that decides when the clock opens, and the map that shows where the punch happened.

No login or setup required.

app.clockspot.com/time-entries

Time Entries

EmployeeDate DayInOutDurationBreaksJobApproval

Marcus Brown

Aug 4Tue8:02 AMClocked in3h 18mWeston Medical, IrvineNot submitted

Priya Patel

Aug 4Tue7:58 AM11:05 AM3h 07mRest · 15mApex Tower, Costa MesaApproved

Angela Rivera

Aug 4Tue8:24 AMClocked in2h 56mLincoln School, TustinNot submitted

Keisha Williams

Aug 3Mon8:37 AM10:52 AM1h 45mLunch · 30mHarbor Mall, Huntington BeachApproved

Aaliyah Robinson

Aug 3Mon8:45 AM1:15 PM4h 30mRest · 15mCoastline Fitness, Santa AnaSubmitted

Sandra Ortiz

Aug 3Mon9:01 AM11:31 AM2hLunch · 30mPacific Dental Group, IrvineApproved

Tuan Le

Aug 3Mon9:12 AM12:48 PM3h 36mCivic Center, Santa AnaSubmitted

Marcus Brown

Aug 3Mon8:05 AM4:35 PM8hLunch · 30mWeston Medical, IrvineApproved

Priya Patel

Aug 3Mon8:10 AM4:40 PM8hLunch · 30mApex Tower, Costa MesaApproved

Common questions

Get answers before you set the rules.

  • Required at clock-in
  • Schedule windows
  • Location checks
Can employees clock in early?

Only as early as you allow. Set the early window and employees can clock in starting that many minutes before the shift.

What happens when someone clocks in from an unrecognized location?

You choose: allow it, warn and record it, or block it. The check runs against your active geolocation, IP address, and browser methods.

More on geofencing
Do the rules apply to kiosks and phone clock-in?

The job requirement and the schedule restriction apply across every clock-in method. Shift notes are collected only on own-account clock-outs.

How does rounding work if I turn it on?

Clock-in and clock-out times round to the nearest interval you pick, the same way for everyone. It stays off until you turn it on.

Try Clockspot and hold every clock-in to your rules.

Require a job and a note, keep clock-ins to scheduled shifts and known locations, and round only if you choose. Employees see the rules at their next clock-in, and entries arrive ready for payroll.

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