FAQ's

Q: How does clocking work in EmpCenter Mobile?
A: If you use clocking, EmpCenter Mobile will always open to the Web Clock or assignment list* (if you have more than one assignment).  You can clock in or out as needed or click the Self-Service button at the bottom of the page for other options.  1. After logging in, select in or out:
Q: How does the web clock work?
A: Classified Hourly and Classified Salaried Non-exempt employees are expected to clock in and out for the work day.  Student and temp employees clock in and out for the day and meals  Clocking allows for the appropriate calculation of overtime and differentials.
Q: How far back will we be allowed to make timesheet corrections?
A: You can only make changes to timesheets in the current, open pay period before payroll closes and processing the timesheet.  See the appropriate user guide for your policy profile for instructions on editing time on your timesheet.  After a timesheet has been processed, any changes must go through the amended timesheet procedure.  Timesheets can be amended up to 365 days in the past.  You will only amend your timesheet to correct misreported time or leave.
Q: How is overtime calculated for weeks that cross over pay periods?
A: EmpCenter is able to calculate overtime for weeks that cross over pay periods.  Since overtime is earned after the 40th hour is worked, the overtime will be paid on the next pay check.  For example, if you earn overtime the week of October 29th - November 4th, 2017 (as a salaried employee), the overtime will be paid on your December 31st pay check.  You can always verify when the overtime has been earned by reviewing the results tab on your timesheet to check for the Overtime earned pay code.
Q: How will I know if something is wrong with an employee's timesheet?
A: If there are errors on the timesheet - such as a missing punch or not enough vacation hours - you'll see that listed on the supervisor dashboard in the Exceptions box.  You will also see the exception message on the timesheet and on the Approve Timesheets page.  Some exceptions will also generate an email to you such as when someone other than the employee saves the timesheet.  In addition, you can run reports to identify any exceptions on employees' timesheets.  See the following FAQs for more details:
Q: I clocked in instead of out for the day. How do I fix my timesheet?
A: If you clock in instead of out for the day (or out instead of in for the day and out at the end of the day), EmpCenter will generate two clock rows with missing out times: To correct the error, first enter the out time in the row with your actual start time:
Q: I clocked into the wrong job. How do I get the time I worked on the correct timesheet?
A: If the job you clocked into is active: 1. Remove the time from the incorrect timesheet by "zeroing" out the clock. To zero out the clock time, enter the same time on the in and out fields for the clock row.  If needed, a comment so your supervisor knows why you are zeroing out the time:
Q: I forgot to clock out yesterday and selected out instead of in when I clocked this morning. How do I fix my timesheet?
A: If you forgot to clock out the previous day and select out instead of in when you clock the next day, EmpCenter will assume your shift crossed over midnight: If you try to change the out time for the previous day to the time you actually left without removing the + sign, you will generate a more than 24 hours reported error:
Q: I have a total hours over 40 exception on my timesheet. How do I fix that?
A: Since most unclassified exempt employees work a traditional Monday through Friday work week, EmpCenter requires acknowledgement of any time entered on a weekend day.  When time is entered on Saturday or Sunday, EmpCenter will generate a red level exception noting "Total hours recorded are greater than 40.  Only 40 hours per week can be entered.":
Q: I was out sick yesterday and can't enter a time off request. How do I account for my time?
A: You cannot request time off for a date in the past.  If you use leave time without requesting it in advance through the time off request process, you will need to enter the time directly on your timesheet.  See the user guide and/or training for your policy profile or the FAQ below for more details on entering time on your timesheet: Classified Hourly - Enter Time on Timesheet
Q: If I am not required to clock in and out for meal periods, how are my meals calculated?
A: EmpCenter will automatically include a one hour meal period after six hours of work for Classified employees.  This can be manually changed by the employee on the timesheet.  See the adjusting meals FAQ for more information. If you regularly take a shorter meal period, your supervisor can assign a schedule that will automatically override the meal time. Students and temporary employees still need to clock for meals.
Q: Is EmpCenter changing how OSU handles Leave without Pay (LWOP)?
A: EmpCenter is not changing the university's policy on leave without pay (LWOP) for employees. For details about LWOP policies, see the Office of Human Resources' Leave Without Pay (Faculty) for unclassified positions and the SEIU Collective Bargaining Agreement, Article 40 for classified positions.
Q: OSU has many different kinds of employees. How will each group use EmpCenter?
A: EmpCenter allows the University to establish profiles of different kinds of employees and handle them uniquely. The tables below demonstrate the differences for OSU’s different policy profiles. Salaried Policy Profiles For salaried employees, pay periods in EmpCenter run from the first of the month to the end of the month (e.g., May 1st to May 31st).
Q: What are exceptions?
A: An exception occurs when there is a conflict between the time entered on your timesheet and the rules in the system.  All exceptions on the timesheet are listed in the exceptions tab with the date, exception message, the severity of the exception, and any action needed.  There are three levels of exceptions:
Q: What are some general timesheet rules?
A: General Timesheet rules:
Q: What are the common red level exceptions and how can they be corrected?
A: Missing In/Out Time Triggered when there is a Clock or Work In/Out row that is missing an in swipe or an out swipe. Example: How to Correct: Add the missing in or out swipe and save the timesheet.  There are several FAQs to help:
Q: What are the different exception messages?
A: Exceptions display on an employee's timesheet whenever a predetermined situation occurs. Red error (not paid) level exceptions must be corrected before timesheets are submitted or the time affected by the error will not be paid. Exceptions can also occur when requesting time off.  The document below lists all exceptions currently programmed in EmpCenter and details how to correct the exception if needed:
Q: What are the different views available for my timesheet?
A: Timesheets have three view options: List view, Table view, and Day view.  Change the view by clicking on the view drop down at the top of the My Time Entry page: EmpCenter will remember the view selected the next time you access the timesheet.
Q: What are the Mobile options for supervisors?
A: Supervisor options are found on the Employees screen in EmpCenter Mobile:
Q: What are the Mobile Self-Service Options?
A: The Mobile "dashboard" has a different look and different options from the desktop version of EmpCenter: