Helpful Tips
October 2006
How can I quickly enter the same time entries with a different comment for each?
The Timesheet feature "Memorized Entries" allows employees to designate specific selections that will always appear on their time entry screens. These entries include only the selections without any logged hours/time. While it is possible to designate a set value for each selection (including the Comment field), it is also possible to leave some of the fields "open" for selection at the time hours are logged against the entry. With the exception of the Project (hierarchical) selection field, any of the fields can be left open for selection at the time hours are logged. So if you frequently do the same types of tasks and activities that are only differentiated by the information in the Comment field, you could create a Memorized Entry and leave the Comment field blank. This would then create a Memorized Entry with the Comment field open for editing.
To create Memorized Entries, go to Management → Memorized Entries, or manually add the entry to your timesheet and click on the M icon that appears to the right of the totals. The process above applies to expense and mileage entries as well.
How can I ensure that all employees track time off in a consistent way?
There are several ways you can configure the Timesheet system to ensure all time off is tracked in a consistent manner. Project dependencies allow you to limit the values in other fields based on the project selection. By creating a "Time Off" project, you can limit the selections for activities, pay and billing codes to values that are relevant to leave time. Employees will only be allowed to select from the filtered list of values.
You can also set up Group Memorized Entries for all employees who qualify for paid leave (i.e., assign them all to an "Exempt Employees Group"). The entries could include lines with all the correct values for paid vacation and paid sick leave.
Finally, you can use the Leave Request Approval process to ensure that a supervisor reviews all time off requests for consistency. The settings under Configuration → System Settings → Leave Requests allow you to map the approval of leave time to the employees' regular timesheet approvers. When an employee fills out a request for time off, the request is reviewed and declined or approved by the employee's timesheet approvers. When supervisors confirm that the time off requests have been entered correctly, they can approve them, and the time off is automatically loaded into the employees' timesheets.
