Accurate payroll starts with accurate time capture. Raken's time tracking tools connect the field and the office — letting supervisors enter crew time, workers clock themselves in and out, and payroll admins review and export everything from one central place. This guide walks you through the recommended setup sequence to get your account ready.
Quick Answer
To get started with time tracking in Raken:
Set up your Time Policy under Company > Time > Policies.
Configure General Time Settings — pay period, approvals, and classifications.
Invite workers if using Time Clock — assign the Project Worker role in Directory > Employees.
Start tracking time from Daily Logs > Time Cards or the global Time tab.
Complete setup before your first pay period to ensure all time cards follow the correct rules from day one.
Work Logs vs. Time Cards
Work Logs are for tracking manpower and progress on site by company. General Contractors typically use Work Logs to log subcontractor headcount and activity — grouped by company so it's reportable across projects. If you currently track the number of people and hours worked in Work Logs, you can continue to do so.
Time Cards are for tracking individual employee hours for payroll. They include pay type, classification, cost code, and automatic overtime calculations — everything needed for accurate payroll processing.
You can use both on the same project. If your primary goal is payroll accuracy for individual employees, use Time Cards. If your primary goal is manpower reporting by company, Work Logs are the right tool.
Step 1: Set Up Your Time Policies
Time Policies define the rules that govern how time is captured, calculated, and categorized across your organization — overtime rules, breaks, pay types, shifts, and more. Setting up your policy before anyone logs time ensures every time card is accurate from the start.
Step 2: Configure General Time Settings
Navigate to Company > Time to configure pay period, approvals, and classifications.
Step 3: Set Up Time Clock (if applicable)
If your organization wants workers to clock themselves in and out on their own devices, enable Time Clock in your Time Policy and invite workers to Raken.
Step 4: Start Tracking Time
Once your policies and settings are in place, your team can start capturing time.
Crew entry (mobile) → Tap Time in the bottom navigation bar
Individual entry (mobile) → Tap Project Tools > project > Daily Logs > Time Cards
On web → Click Time in the left navigation, then click Entries
The mobile Time tab currently requires a crew selection. For individual time entry on mobile, use Project Tools > Daily Logs > Time Cards.
Step 5: Review and Approve Time
At the end of each pay period, review and approve time cards before exporting to payroll.
Step 6: Export to Payroll
Once time is approved, export to your accounting or payroll system using one of Raken's supported integrations.
Additional Features
Per Diem
Record per diem for travel, meals, lodging, or other work-related expenses. Per diem entries are day-based and independent of time cards — created from Time > Review > Per Diem. Requires the Performance Plan.
Overtime Premiums
Automate pay type assignment for weekend shifts, early starts, late finishes, and holidays. Configured inside your Time Policy. Requires the Performance Plan.
Considerations
Complete Time Policy setup before your first pay period — policy changes only apply to future time cards.
The project dashboard time card tile has been removed — use Daily Logs > Time Cards or the Time tab.
On mobile, the Time tab is for crew-based entry. For individual time entry on mobile, use Project Tools > Daily Logs > Time Cards.
Workers need the Project Worker role in Directory > Employees before they can use Time Clock.
Offline time entry is supported via Daily Logs > Time Cards on mobile only.
Per Diem and Overtime Premiums (Weekend, Shift, Holiday) require the Performance Plan.
Overtime is calculated automatically server-side.
Technical Specifications
Compatibility: iOS 15+, Android 10+, and all major web browsers
Offline Capability: Yes (mobile via Daily Logs > Time Cards only) — entries sync when connection is restored
Plan Required: All plans for core time tracking; Time Clock add-on for worker self-clock-in; Per Diem and Premiums require Performance Plan
Add-on Required: Time Clock add-on for worker clock-in, Kiosk, Photo ID, Clock questions, and Geofencing
Role Required: Account Administrator for setup; Supervisors and Project Administrators for time entry
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