Enable Time Tracking Admin Guide

Summary:

This guide explains how to enable BambooHR® Time Tracking for employees who need to record their worked hours. You can enable Time Tracking for a single employee, multiple employees at once, or by employee group. It also covers required criteria, scheduling options, and troubleshooting tips.

Table of Contents

Who this is for

  • Admins: Can enable Time Tracking for all employees or groups.
  • Managers: Can view and approve timesheets once employees are enabled.
  • Employees: Cannot enable Time Tracking themselves; they gain access once an admin enables it.

Before you start

To enable an employee for Time Tracking, ensure they meet all criteria:

  1. The employee must have BambooHR access.
  2. The employee must be assigned to a pay schedule.
  3. The employee must have a hire date in BambooHR.
  4. The employee must have an active Employment Status.

If you use a BambooHR Time Clock, you must enable Time Tracking before adding employees to the device. If you use a BambooHR Time Kiosk, employees will sync automatically.

Steps

Enable Time Tracking for an individual employee

  1. Go to the employee’s Profile.
  2. Click the Action Menu (top-right).
  3. Hover over Time Tracking → select Enable Time Tracking.
  4. In the pop-up, choose when Time Tracking should begin:
    • Immediately: Enables Time Tracking for the current pay period (including past days).
    • Next Pay Periods: Choose from one of the next three pay period start dates.
  5. Click Save.

Enable Time Tracking for multiple employees

  1. Go to Settings → Time Tracking → Add Employees.
  2. (Optional) Use filters (department, location, pay type) to narrow the list.
  3. Select employees. Use Shift/Command to select multiples and move them into the selection box.
  4. Choose start option:
  5. Immediately: Access is granted right away.
    • Schedule Start Date: Choose a start date aligned with pay schedules.
    • Review selections and confirm.
  6. After enabling, check the employee list. Use the calendar icon or Change All Start Dates to adjust.

Enable Time Tracking by group

  1. Go to the desired Time Tracking Group.
  2. Click Add Employees.
  3. Follow the modal to select employees and define their start date.
    • If you have not created custom groups, employees are added to the default group.

Common errors & fixes

  • Employee missing from list
    • Cause: Missing pay schedule, inactive status, or no BambooHR access
    • Fix: Update employee record.
  • Timesheet tab not appearing
    • Cause: Time Tracking not fully enabled or future start
    • Fix: Verify start date.
  • Overtime not calculating
    • Cause: Exempt employee or incorrect Overtime State/Province setting
    • Fix: Update employee profile.

Escalation & status

Contact BambooHR Support if:

  • Employees meeting all criteria still cannot be added.
  • Scheduled start dates are not applying correctly.
  • Timesheets are not generating after enablement.