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The Punch Clock is FieldTime’s real-time time-tracking tool for non-exempt (hourly) employees. Tap a single button to start your timer the moment your shift begins, then assign your project and labor classification right after. The clock runs continuously until you clock out, capturing every minute worked — including meal breaks — so your timesheet reflects an accurate, compliance-ready record.
Exempt (salaried) employees do not use the Punch Clock. If your account is marked EXEMPT, you will see the Manual Entry form instead of the clock-in button. Field workers with NFC badges can also clock in by tapping their badge — see NFC Tap-to-Punch.

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Clocking in

1

Open the Punch Clock page

Navigate to Time Tracking → Punch Clock in the sidebar. If you are not currently clocked in, you will see the Start Your Shift panel.
2

Tap Clock In

Select Clock In. Your timer starts immediately at the exact moment you tap. The server records the timestamp so your elapsed time is accurate even if your device clock is slightly off.
3

Assign a project

After clocking in, an assignment form appears in the active-shift banner. Search for your project by name or code using the typeahead field, then select the matching Phase and Task if your project requires them.Projects are grouped by type to make selection faster:
GroupDescription
Direct ProjectsBillable client work
Indirect ProjectsOverhead or non-billable work
AdministrativeInternal admin tasks
4

Select a labor classification

Choose your Labor Classification from the dropdown. Classifications available depend on the project you selected. If the project uses prevailing wage, you will see a note indicating that California DIR overtime rules apply.
5

Confirm the assignment

Select Confirm Assignment. The active-shift banner turns green and displays your project name, phase, task, and classification. Your shift is now fully tracked.
You have a 5-minute undo window after clocking in. If you clocked in by mistake and have not yet started a meal break, select Undo Clock-In to remove the entry entirely.

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Starting and ending meal breaks

FieldTime tracks meal breaks separately so they are excluded from your worked hours. California Labor Code §512 requires a 30-minute unpaid meal break before your fifth hour of work; the app notifies you as the deadline approaches.
1

Start your meal break

When you are ready to take your break, select Start Meal Break in the active-shift banner. The banner changes to yellow and displays an ON MEAL BREAK status. Your elapsed timer pauses.
2

End your meal break

When you return from your break, select End Meal Break and confirm the dialog. The worked-hours timer resumes from where it left off.If your break is shorter than 30 minutes, FieldTime displays a warning explaining that the break does not meet the California minimum. You can still return to work — the system records the actual duration for audit purposes.
Second meal break: If your shift exceeds 10 hours, a second 30-minute break is required. The compliance panel in the active-shift banner tracks both deadlines and escalates from blue → amber → red as each deadline approaches. Meal break waivers: In limited circumstances, you and your employer can mutually waive a meal break. Select Waive First Meal Break or Waive Second Meal Break in the compliance panel when the waiver button appears. You can revoke a waiver at any time during the shift by selecting Revoke waiver.

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Switching projects mid-shift

If you move from one project to another during the same shift, use Switch Project instead of clocking out and back in. FieldTime closes your current entry and immediately opens a new active entry at the exact same timestamp — a zero-gap transition. The meal-break compliance clock continues uninterrupted, as California §512 treats both entries as one continuous shift.
1

Open the switch dialog

Select Switch Project in the active-shift banner. You cannot switch while a meal break is in progress — end the break first.
2

Select the new project, phase, and task

Choose your new project from the dropdown. Select a phase and task if they are available on the new project.
3

Confirm the labor classification

If your current classification is allowed on the new project, FieldTime carries it forward automatically. If not, you will need to pick a new one before confirming.
4

Confirm the switch

Select Confirm Switch. You will see a success message and the active-shift banner updates to reflect the new project.

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Clocking out

1

End any open meal break

You must end all meal breaks before clocking out. The Clock Out button is disabled while a break is in progress.
2

Confirm project and classification are set

Both a project and a labor classification must be assigned before you can clock out. If either is still pending, resolve the assignment form first.
3

Select Clock Out

Select Clock Out and confirm the dialog. FieldTime records your clock-out timestamp, calculates your total worked hours (gross time minus meal breaks), and marks the entry as completed.
After clocking out, your entry is added to your timesheet for the current work week. Entries flow through the standard review and approval process before syncing to Deltek Vantagepoint.

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Adding shift notes

While you are clocked in and your assignment is confirmed, a Notes text area appears in the active-shift banner. Any notes you save here carry over automatically to your timesheet entry detail — no need to re-enter them after clocking out.

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Viewing your punches

After clocking out, navigate to Timesheets to review your completed entries for the week. Each punch entry shows:
  • Clock-in and clock-out times
  • Project, phase, and task
  • Labor classification
  • Total hours worked (net of meal breaks)
  • Any meal breaks recorded during the shift
Entries with the label Punch in the Actions column were created by the Punch Clock and can be reviewed but not edited directly on this page. If a correction is needed, contact your supervisor or administrator to request a timesheet revision.