Note: This feature is available on Standard and Premium Time Doctor Subscription Plans. Only Owners and Admins may configure this feature.
What is the Breaks Feature?
Breaks is a feature in Time Doctor that allows users to track time during breaks without pausing the app. These can be created with or without a time limit and may be assigned to specific users or groups. Breaks assigned to particular groups or users will be visible on their desktop apps, and available to start tracking breaks.
It is important to know that all breaks are considered paid and will count toward the total work hours of the users who track them. During breaks, only the time is recorded, not activities such as screenshots or web and app usage.
When the break limit is enabled from the Company Settings, the duration of breaks must be specified by configuring How long should this break be? and selecting an option from 15 minutes to a maximum of 4 hours. If the break limit is disabled, all breaks will default to a maximum time limit of 6 hours.
Who Can Take Breaks
Any user using the interactive version of the desktop app can take breaks provided that their company has made at least one break available to them.
How to Configure Breaks
- Configure breaks by navigating to Settings/Breaks.
- Click Add Break to create breaks. You can specify the name of the break and assign it to Everyone in the company, Specific Groups, or Specific users.
- Set a time limit for breaks under the how long should this break be? Select an option from the dropdown menu, choosing a duration between 15 minutes and 4 hours.
- Optional: If needed, disable the break limits feature from the Company Settings page. Once disabled, all new and existing breaks will default to a maximum limit of 6 hours.
- Breaks assigned to users or groups are displayed at the bottom of the users' desktop apps.
- To use them, users must select a break from any of the available breaks on their desktop app instead of pausing the timer.
- When the break limits feature is enabled, the timer counts down from the assigned time limit to 00:00 when a user is tracking breaks. When the limit is reached, the application will end break tracking and go into a paused state.
- When the break limits feature is disabled, the timer counts up from 00:00 until the users intervene and pause the break, or until the maximum time limit of 6 hours is reached.
- To use them, users must select a break from any of the available breaks on their desktop app instead of pausing the timer.
- Archive breaks to remove them from users' desktop applications.
Where Can Breaks Be Seen in Reports?
Timeline Report
Breaks are shown in grey.
Hours Tracked Report
The total breaks tracked within a period are shown in the grey block.
User Dashboard
The total amount of time spent on breaks is shown.
FAQ
Are breaks included in the total time tracked?
Yes. Breaks are included in the total time tracked that is shown in reports. They are also included in the total time on the Payroll page.
Is there any limit on how many breaks can be created?
No. The number of breaks that can be created and assigned to specific users or groups within a company is unlimited.
What happens if a user pauses tracking instead of selecting a break?
The time counts as non-working time and does not count towards the time spent on breaks. It is displayed as gaps between periods of tracked time in timelines.
Can breaks be configured in a way that allows users to take breaks at specific times?
No. This is not available.
Is there a limit to the total break time a user can take in a day?
No. There is no limit to the number of total breaks one can take in a day.
Can this feature be used with silent apps?
No. The silent apps have no user interface that will allow users to track breaks.
Why don't I see the breaks limit feature in my account?
The feature may be disabled from the Company Settings page. If the Use Break limits toggle is already enabled from the Company Settings, and the option to set How long should this break be? is still missing, reach out to support@timedoctor.com for assistance.